AFSCME 3299 authorizes strike on Oct. 31, gives University 10 days to prepare
The University of California-wide service workers and patient care union announced on Oct. 31 that its members voted to authorize a strike. The strike follows an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge by the union that alleges the University failed to bargain in good faith.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299, which represents nearly 37,000 workers, said in a press release that 99% of its members voted to authorize the strike, according to the Daily Bruin. Voting lasted from Oct. 28-30 and followed the ULP charge which alleged that the University continually showed up late and unprepared for bargaining sessions.
“By refusing to bargain in good faith, the University has made it clear that it does not value the frontline workers who clean its facilities, serve students food, and treat patients,” AFSCME Local 3299 President Michael Avant said in the press release. “If UC won’t meet its most basic legal responsibilities to its employees, our members have made it clear that we are prepared to hold them accountable by exercising our legal right to strike.”
The union began bargaining in January to negotiate new contracts for patient care workers, whose contracts expired July 31, and service workers, whose contracts expired on Oct. 31.
The union must provide the University with 10 days notice before withholding labor, according to the National Labor Relations Board.
UC Santa Cruz receives 2024 Catalyst Grant Award for Climate Action
UC Santa Cruz was awarded the 2024 Catalyst Grant Award to support the campus’s climate action initiatives, according to UC Santa Cruz News. The grant totals to $75,000, allocated by the nonprofit Second Nature to accelerate climate action in higher education.
UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) is one of 11 colleges and universities nationwide to receive grants of up to $7,500 this year. Their projects focus on decarbonization, resilience and climate justice across campuses and surrounding communities.
“The commitment and innovation demonstrated by this year’s applicants underscore the urgency of addressing climate challenges,” Second Nature President Timothy Carter said, according to UCSC News.
At UCSC, the award will support two Sustainability & Environmental Justice Ambassador (SEJA) student workers who will “enhance environmental justice visibility and understanding on campus through peer education, design accessible educational modules, collaborate with local organizations, and organize events” to foster community engagement and leadership development, according to UCSC News.
“Being a part of SEJA and helping to organize the People, Planet, Power Summit (PPP) allowed me to build connections based on trust, passion, and activism that I value to this day,” two-year SEJA student Jude Sullenszino said according to UCSC News. “The participants of PPP, in the same way, were able to educate themselves in community, which I consider the most important way to learn.”
A version of this article appeared on p. 2 of the Nov. 7, 2024 print edition of the Daily Nexus.
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