Over 86,000 University of California (UC) employees, including nurses, healthcare professionals, and campus workers, are planning a massive strike on November 17-18.
This labor action, potentially one of the largest in UC’s history, involves workers from UC San Francisco, UC Berkeley, and other facilities. The workers accuse the university of neglecting its lowest-paid employees while rewarding top executives. They demand higher pay, affordable housing, and better staffing.
According to The San Francisco Chronicle, the strike will affect 18 UC health facilities statewide, including UCSF Mission Bay and Parnassus campuses and Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland. The action unites members of three major unions: AFSCME Local 3299, UPTE-CWA Local 9119, and the California Nurses Association. AFSCME President Michael Avant stated, “During nearly two years of bargaining, UC has spent billions of dollars acquiring new facilities, lavishing exorbitant raises on its wealthiest executives… but it won’t offer its frontline workers enough to pay the rent or keep pace with the skyrocketing cost of groceries.”
UC officials have disputed these claims, arguing that the unions’ demands are beyond what the university can responsibly afford. The university has stated that it has bargained in good faith, offering competitive proposals that include wage increases, healthcare subsidies, and improved benefits. The university’s statement, as reported by Yahoo News, emphasized their commitment to negotiate and implement improvements for employees.
The university has assured that its hospitals and clinics will remain open during the strike, although some surgeries and appointments may face delays. Union leaders have also formed a “patient protection task force” to ensure critical care workers can respond to emergencies if needed.
Recent Comments