A University of California workers' strike widened May 8 as members from two additional unions walked off the job in sympathy, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Here are five things to know.
1. UC workers, represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, began a three-day strike May 7 over issues such as wages, healthcare premiums and job outsourcing. Members of the University Professional and Technical Employees and California Nurses Association joined the walkout in support on May 8.
2. The CNA represents 14,000 workers at UC's medical centers and student health clinics, while members of the University Professional and Technical Employees include pharmacists, physical therapists, researchers and other workers.
3. Some members of UAW Local 2865, which represents more than 17,000 academic student employees and research assistants at UC campuses, also participated in the strike, according to the LA Times.
4. The LA Times could not clearly specify the total number of workers who walked off the job in sympathy. However, Bill Fitzpatrick, a senior construction inspector, told the publication approximately 10 percent of members of the University Professional & Technical Employees at UC Santa Barbara participated in the strike.
5. The California Public Employment Relations Board granted UC's request to keep certain essential employees from participating in the strike. Additionally, medical centers hired a number of replacement workers and have rescheduled thousands of surgeries, cancer treatments and appointments, reports the LA Times. John de los Angeles, spokesperson for AFSCME Local 3299, told The Sacramento Bee via email the union also developed a patient protection task force to respond to life-threatening situations as needed.
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