37,000 UC workers set to strike Nov. 20-21
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299 and University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE-CWA Local 9119) at UC San Francisco will strike from Nov. 20-21.
Last month, AFSCME 3299 filed charges against the UC Regents with the Public Employment Relations Board alleging that the University had “engaged in a pattern of bad faith bargaining.”
AFSCME 3299 authorized the Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike last week with 99% voter support. The union represents over 35,000 Service and Patient Care workers across the University of California.
The UPTE-CWA 9119 at the University of California, which represents 4,000 lab scientists, pharmacists, dietitians, I.T. workers, physician assistants and research associates authorized the strike by 98%. That means almost 35,000 workers may go on strike, disrupting pivotal university operations.
“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.
The current contract for patient care workers expired on July 31, while the contract for Service workers expired on Oct. 31.
Four people arrested at UCLA SJP protest
Four people were arrested at a UC Los Angeles Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) protest on Tuesday. Three were arrested for obstructing access to Bruin Walk — the east-west path that runs through Bruin Plaza — and one was arrested for interfering with an officer.
According to the Daily Bruin, roughly 150 people gathered in Bruin Plaza to protest the Israeli military’s attacks on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and UC investments in the Israeli military. Organizers also said they were showing support for the upcoming AFSCME 3299 and UPTE-CWA 9119 ULP strike at UCSF.
“Today, the genocide continues. Six months later (after the encampment), and what we can do locally is highlight this on our campus and demand that action be taken,” UCLA associate professor and faculty for SJP Graeme Blair said, according to the Daily Bruin.
Twenty UC Police Department officers arrived at Bruin Walk roughly two hours after the protest began but did not issue a dispersal order.
UCPD Administrative Division Lieutenant Jeffrey Chobanian said the protesters violated UCLA’s Time, Place and Manner (TMP) policies in an email statement.
According to the TMP policies, east Bruin Walk is a designated public expression area. This means that students are allowed to engage in free speech and protest activities in the area, however it cannot obstruct, disrupt or interfere with the operations of the University.
A version of this article appeared on p. 2 of the Nov. 21, 2024 edition of the Daily Nexus.
