University of California hospital workers end strike

Kelly Gooch -

Thousands of University of California unionized workers ended a three-day strike at UC medical centers on Oct. 25.

The strike involved American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, which represents more than 25,000 UC service and patient care technical workers. Members of University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America 9119, which represents more than 13,000 UC technical and professional employees, also participated.

AFSCME Local 3299 leaders said workers are concerned about widening income, racial and gender disparities and job outsourcing at the university..

According to The Sacramento Bee, workers want concessions on outsourcing and pay raises of up to 8 percent annually.

University spokesperson Claire Doan told Becker's that union leaders "are spreading false information" and that the university gave all patient care employees represented by AFSCME Local 3299 a 2 percent raise.

"Anything beyond that requires union leaders to get back to the bargaining table," she said.

UPTE-CWA 9119 members reportedly seek pay raises of 6 percent.

Emergency rooms remained open during the strike. However, temporary workers filled in for striking hospital employees, and about 4,200 nonurgent appointments, 241 surgeries and 172 chemotherapy and other infusion treatments were rescheduled at several UCSF medical centers.

Ms. Doan said operations were back to normal Oct. 26, and no bargaining sessions are scheduled between the university and AFSCME Local 3299 leaders.

 

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