Members of the University Professional and Technical Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees unions plan to participate in a statewide strike May 1 at University of California campuses, major laboratories and medical centers.
Six things to know:
1. The strike involves 19,201 UPTE-represented healthcare, research and technical employees and 36,683 AFSCME-represented UC service and patient care workers.
2. UPTE-represented workers preparing to strike include physician assistants, optometrists, pharmacists, case managers, rehabilitation specialists, mental health clinicians, clinical lab scientists, staff research associates, IT workers and other professionals. AFSCME-represented workers preparing to strike include those in custodial services, food preparation, building maintenance and groundskeeping, as well as respiratory therapists, pharmacy technicians and other technical staff.
3. Union members say the strike is to protest the university’s recent decision to implement a systemwide hiring freeze, which they say “is further exacerbating the ongoing staffing crisis that is hindering patient care, research and student outcomes.” They also allege bad-faith bargaining during negotiations and say they are protesting UC’s decision to deny certain benefits to workers at newly acquired facilities.
4. In a statement shared with Becker’s, UC said the university “remains steadfast in our commitment to reaching fair contract agreements with AFSCME and UPTE. In this era of political instability and significant funding challenges, we aim to collectively align with our labor partners to advocate for UC’s continued mission and impact.”
5. The May 1 strike will be the third statewide strike this year involving the unions, which previously held statewide strikes in February and April. UPTE began bargaining with UC in June 2024, and members’ contracts expired in fall 2024. AFSCME began bargaining with UC in January 2024, and members’ contracts expired July 31 for patient care workers and Oct. 31 for service workers.
6. UC and AFSCME are expected to return to the bargaining table April 16. UC said both parties will continue to work through the state-overseen impasse process and await a fact-finder’s recommendations. Once those are received, UC will try to meet with UPTE to continue negotiations.
