Citing a growing cost of living and affordability crisis, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, or AFSCME 3299, which represents more than 40,000 service workers, announced a UC systemwide strike Nov. 17 and 18. AFSCME will be joined by the more than 25,000 members of the California Nurses Association, or CNA, in a sympathy strike.
AFSCME represents custodians, dining hall workers, hospital technicians and other service workers throughout the UC system and has been without a contract for over a year. CNA’s contract expired Oct. 31 and the organization has since been in active negotiations with the UC.
Previously, AFSCME strikes have led to the closure of campus eateries, some dining halls and the delay of some custodian services.
AFSCME will be picketing on campus near Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft Way from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days of the strike.
“During nearly two years of bargaining, UC has spent billions of dollars acquiring new facilities, lavishing exorbitant raises on its wealthiest executives and funding housing assistance programs to help these same ivory tower elites buy mansions or second homes,” said Michael Avant, president of AFSCME 3299, in a press release. “But it won’t offer its frontline workers enough to pay the rent or keep pace with the skyrocketing cost of groceries.”
Initially, the University Professional and Technical Employees Communications Workers of America Local 9119, or UPTE CWA 9119, was planning to strike alongside AFSCME and CNA. However, the strike was called off after UPTE and the UC announced a tentative agreement Saturday.
“We continue to stand with AFSCME and CNA members as they fight and strike for a similar agreement for their members,” said Dan Russell, president of UPTE, in a press release.
In a Nov. 6 press release, the UC said the demands from UPTE, CNA and AFSCME were “unreasonable” and “jeopardize (the UC’s) mission of teaching, research and public service.”
According to AFSCME, staffing shortages and “uncompetitive job quality” have led to more than 13,000 UC service workers leaving their jobs in the past three years. AFSCME further cited a 10% decline in real wages and said some members are forced to sleep in their cars or rely on government housing subsidies.
In a statement, the UC said that UC hospitals and clinics will ensure patients receive the necessary care during a strike, although some treatments may be delayed. Additionally, AFSCME said it voluntarily exempted a small number of critical care workers from the strike to support any potential emergencies.
“UPTE and AFSCME members are an integral part of making the UC a world-class institution for education, research, and health care,” said Maureen Dugan, member of CNA’s Board of Directors, in a press release. “The UC Regents’ continued failure to treat these employees with respect and fairness represents a shameful race to the bottom for the UC and a betrayal of the patients, students, and the public who deserve world-class support.”
