Yesterday, thousands of healthcare workers at the University of California (UC) began a two-day strike across California. KTLA's Tony Kurzweil reported on November 20 that, according to the union, UC representatives have negotiated illegally
In a notice on its website, AFSCME Local 3299 union stated, "UC's illegal conduct—from showing up to negotiations without any authority to forge compromises to announcing that it will bypass bargaining altogether to impose higher healthcare costs on workers – has left workers who take care of students and patients every day with no choice but to go on strike."
"Union officials alleged that low pay has forced some workers to endure multi-hour commutes or sleep in their cars," Kurzweil wrote. "University officials have denied the allegations of unfair bargaining tactics and say they have offered wage increases."
"The University's serial lawbreaking at the bargaining table means that the epidemic of understaffing at UC facilities, and the related cost of living and housing affordability crises plaguing frontline UC workers are only getting worse," AFSCME Local 3299 President Michael Avant said in a statement.
"The University's proposals include $700 million in economic increases for AFSCME members and a direct response to what AFSCME had asked for -- the greater of a $25 an hour minimum wage or a 5 percent across-the-board raise," according to the UC.
KCRA’s Melanie Wingo reported that, per the union, nearly 40,000 UC workers at every UC campus and medical facility in California are taking part in the strike.
