86,000 University of California workers to strike statewide Nov. 17-18

"A UC statement issued Nov. 6 said the planned strike is an attempt to pressure the university into accepting unreasonable wage and benefit demands that would put UC in a financially precarious position and jeopardize its mission of teaching, research and public service. The university also said it is disappointed that union leaders have chosen this path after months of progress at the bargaining table. While these strikes may cause disruptions, UC will remain open, according to the statement. Our hospitals and clinics have contingency plans in place to ensure patients continue to receive safe, high-quality care, although some surgeries, treatments, and appointments may face delays."

"The three bargaining unions involved in the strike said the Oakland-based UC system has failed to settle contracts addressing the cost of living and affordability crises facing the university's most vulnerable workers. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 represents 40,000 service and patient care technical workers at the UC, while the University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America Local 9119 represents 21,000 healthcare, research and technical professionals, and California Nurses Association represents 25,000 nurses."

"A top priority, the unions said, is to halt the UC management's growing practice of short-staffing its facilities, and cutting back on resources."

More than 86,000 union nurses and healthcare professionals in the University of California medical system authorized a two-day strike for Nov. 17-18. The unions say contracts expired Oct. 31 and that UC failed to address cost-of-living and affordability crises affecting vulnerable workers. Three bargaining unions represent roughly 40,000 service and patient care technical workers, 21,000 healthcare, research and technical professionals, and 25,000 nurses. UC warned the strike would pressure the system with unreasonable wage and benefit demands and said bargaining had made months of progress. Hospitals and clinics will remain open with contingency plans, though some surgeries, treatments, and appointments may face delays. Unions prioritize ending short-staffing and resource cuts.

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