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The
strikes by two unions representing nearly 60,000 health care and
service workers are separate and come after the unions and
10-campus university system failed to reach a new contract.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Local 3299, or AFSCME Local 3299, and the University
Professional Technical Employees (UPTE)-CWA Local 9119, or UPTE,
also went on strike in November alleging unfair bargaining
tactics, which the university system denied.
AFSCME Local 3299 represents about 37,000 employees, including
respiratory therapists, pharmacy techs, mental health workers,
custodians and gardeners. It said the strike comes weeks after
it filed new charges with the state’s Public Employment
Relations Board over what it says are unfair labor practices by
the university.
“Instead of addressing the decline in real wages that has fueled
the staff exodus at UC Medical Centers and Campuses at the
bargaining table, UC has chosen to illegally implement arbitrary
rules aimed at silencing workers who are raising concerns while
limiting their access to union representatives,” said AFSCME
Local 3299 President Michael Avant.
UPTE, which represents 20,000 employees, including physician
assistants, optometrists, pharmacists, nurse case managers and
mental health workers is on a three-day strike. The union said
the university has attempted “to silence whistleblowers speaking
out about the staffing crisis that is hurting students, patient
care, and critical research.”
The university denied the allegations and said it fully supports
the unions’ right to engage in legal strike activity and
picketing “as evidenced by AFSCME and UPTE’s two-day strike last
November.”
It added that it has offered each union “meaningful” wage
increases, health care premium reductions and other incentives
in response to the workers’ complaints.
“The University of California is disappointed that AFSCME and
UPTE plan to strike. Both unions have chosen to focus their
energy on strike preparation and amplifying misinformation
rather than negotiating in good faith,” the university said in a
statement.
The contract for AFSCME Local 3299 expired July 31. UPTE’s
contract expired Oct. 31.
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