Almost 60,000 College of California employees strike amid allegations of unfair labor practices and staffing shortages

Tens of hundreds of employees from the College of California (UC) system went on strike Wednesday, protesting towards what they are saying are unfair labor practices and widespread staffing shortages. The strike includes almost 60,000 well being care, service, and custodial employees, together with doctor assistants, optometrists, custodians, and psychological well being professionals.
This strike follows a long-standing dispute between the employees’ two main unions, AFSCME Native 3299 and UPTE-CWA Native 9119, and the college system. The 2 unions, representing roughly 37,000 and 20,000 employees respectively, have been unable to achieve a brand new contract settlement with UC after earlier negotiations failed. The employees’ contracts expired months in the past—AFSCME Native 3299’s contract ended on July 31, 2024, and UPTE’s expired on October 31, 2024.
Allegations of unfair labor practices
The labor unrest started to accentuate after each unions filed fees with the state’s Public Employment Relations Board, accusing the college of unfair labor practices. As reported by the Related Press, AFSCME Native 3299 has been significantly vocal, claiming that UC administration has refused to deal with wage declines, which have contributed to a employees exodus from the UC medical facilities and campuses. In line with the union, as an alternative of negotiating over wage points, the college has “illegally carried out arbitrary guidelines” geared toward silencing employees and limiting their entry to union representatives.
Michael Avant, president of AFSCME Native 3299, criticized the college for not addressing the basis causes of the issue. “As a substitute of addressing the decline in actual wages that has fueled the employees exodus at UC Medical Facilities and Campuses on the bargaining desk, UC has chosen to illegally implement arbitrary guidelines geared toward silencing employees,” Avant said.
Staffing disaster amid important shortages
The strike comes on the heels of one other walkout by the College Skilled Technical Workers (UPTE), which represents employees corresponding to doctor assistants, pharmacists, and psychological well being employees. This group can be protesting a staffing disaster that they are saying is affecting affected person care, scholar providers, and very important analysis efforts. UPTE claims that the college has tried to suppress whistleblowers talking out about these points, with the union calling the disaster a menace to public security and educational efficiency.
UC officers have denied the unions’ accusations, stating they absolutely assist employees’ rights to strike and picket legally. Nevertheless, UC added that they’ve provided “significant” wage will increase, decreased healthcare premiums, and different incentives in response to the complaints. As quoted by the Related Press, a UC assertion stated, “The College of California is upset that AFSCME and UPTE plan to strike. Each unions have chosen to focus their power on strike preparation and amplifying misinformation reasonably than negotiating in good religion.”