Thousands of University of California healthcare workers initiated a two-day strike on Wednesday across the state to protest what they describe as "bad-faith bargaining and unfair labor practices" by the university system. According to AFSCME Local 3299's website, the strike is a response to UC's alleged illegal negotiation tactics and the decision to impose higher healthcare costs on employees, leaving workers with no choice but to picket.
Strikers shared their plight with the media, highlighting the harsh realities of their work environment and compensation. A statement obtained by KTLA quoted a healthcare worker at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center saying, "We endanger our lives every day coming to work and we still come but we don’t make no money … It’s very stressful." The union has also accused the UC of underpaying staff, forcing some to endure long commutes or even sleep in their cars because they cannot afford housing near their workplaces.
Additionally, concerns about patient care were voiced by workers. Herbert, another healthcare worker, told KTLA, "Since COVID, the volume of patients has risen but our staff has not increased." This has reportedly led to extended wait times for patients to be triaged, up to 35 to 45 minutes according to the workers on the strike lines.
The University of California officials have denied the accusations of unlawful bargaining strategies. They have put forth an offer of a wage increase to $25 an hour across the system by July 1, 2025, and attribute the declaration of impasse to the union's action, shedding light on their "clear willingness to continue to negotiate contract terms," as reported by KTLA.
In a press release, AFSCME Local 3299's President Michael Avant was quoted saying, "By refusing to bargain in good faith, the University has made it clear that it does not value the frontline workers." These sentiments were underscored by the filing of formal charges with the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), accusing the university of engaging in illegal bad-faith bargaining. The details of these allegations, including withheld critical information for bargaining and increased healthcare costs without negotiation, can be found in the full press release statement on AFSCME Local 3299's site.
For those seeking information on strike times and locations, the union has provided guidelines on where workers from specific UC hospitals should report, ensuring that the picket lines do not affect patient care more than necessary. The strike is scheduled to begin at midnight on November 20th and end at 11:59 PM on November 21st, with picket lines starting at 6 AM and ending at 6 PM each day. This and other relevant information is detailed on the AFSCME Local 3299 website.
