California – Thousands of University of California (UC) healthcare, research, and technical employees have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The workers plan to begin a three-day UC worker strike on February 26th. The union cites chronic staffing shortages, recruitment difficulties, and unfair labor practices as key reasons for the strike.
The union, representing nearly 20,000 UC employees, alleges that the university has failed to bargain in good faith and has implemented unlawful tactics to suppress worker voices. They also argue that the university’s proposed wage increases are inadequate, especially given the rising cost of living and the higher wages paid to other UC employee groups.
The near-unanimous strike vote, with 98% in favor, highlights the widespread discontent among UC workers. Union President Dan Russell hoped this action would compel the university to address their concerns and negotiate fair contracts.
The UC administration maintains that it has no staffing crisis and has offered reasonable wage and benefit increases. However, workers argue that understaffing impacts patient care and hinders research progress.
Further escalating the labor dispute, UC service and patient care workers have also announced their intention to strike for two days starting February 26th. This group, encompassing over 37,000 employees, claims the university has engaged in bad-faith bargaining and interfered with their rights.
The potential strikes threaten to disrupt hospital services, research initiatives, and campus operations across all ten UC campuses and five medical centers.
