Due to alleged unfair labour practices and staffing shortages, tens of thousands of University of California physician assistants, optometrists, and other healthcare and housekeeping employees went on strike on Wednesday.
After the unions and the 10-campus university system could not agree on a new contract, two unions representing about 60,000 health care and service workers went on separate strikes. In November, the University Professional Technical Employees (UPTE)-CWA Local 9119, also known as UPTE, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, also known as AFSCME Local 3299, both went on strike, claiming unfair bargaining practices that the university system rejected.
About 37,000 workers, including respiratory therapists, pharmacy technicians, mental health professionals, custodians, and gardeners, are represented by AFSCME Local 3299. The strike, it said, occurred weeks after it brought fresh allegations against the university for alleged unfair labour practices before the state’s Public Employment Relations Board.
AFSCME Local 3299 President Michael Avant stated, “UC has illegally implemented arbitrary rules aimed at silencing workers who are raising concerns while limiting their access to union representatives, rather than addressing the decline in real wages that has fuelled the staff exodus at UC Medical Centres and Campuses at the bargaining table.
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