Researchers and Student Employees Strike at UC Campuses

People take part in a protest outside of the University of California San Francisco medical offices in San Francisco, Nov. 14, 2022. Nearly 48,000 unionized academic workers at all 10 University of California campuses have walked off the job Monday. Jeff Chiu/AP Photo

Thousands of researchers and student employees went on strike across the 10 University of California (UC) campuses on Nov. 14 citing unfair working conditions and pay.

“After months at the bargaining table and 26 unfair labor practices filed, we have no choice but to move towards a strike,” Jade Moore, a bargaining team member, said in a statement.

UC officials are currently negotiating separate contracts with the United Auto Workers (UAW) regarding four academic units: postdoctoral scholars, academic researchers, graduate student researchers, and academic student employees—including teaching assistants, readers, and tutors—UC President’s Office spokesman Ryan King told The Epoch Times on Nov. 10.

Researchers and student employees protest at the University of California–San Diego in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2022. Courtesy of Philip Zhu

“Our primary goal in these negotiations is achieving multiyear agreements that recognize these employees’ important and highly valued contributions to the University’s teaching and research mission with fair pay, quality health and family-friendly benefits, and a supportive and respectful work environment,” King said.

He also said that the university has reached agreements with the union regarding key issues like a respectful work environment and health and safety matters.

Researchers and student employees protest at the University of California–San Diego's Geisel Library in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2022. Courtesy of Philip Zhu

The negotiation affects about 48,000 workers, including 17,000 student researchers.

Workers joined picket lines at 8 a.m., demonstrating with signs, T-shirts, and chants calling for significant pay raise to afford living in high-cost cities, like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.

Besides higher salaries and greater annual raises, the workers are demanding free public transit passes, improved childcare benefits, and greater job security.

People take part in a protest outside of the University of California San Francisco medical offices in San Francisco, Nov. 14, 2022. Nearly 48,000 unionized academic workers at all 10 University of California campuses have walked off the job Monday. Jeff Chiu/AP Photo

Union leaders said that it is the largest academic worker strike in U.S. history. It was approved by over 75 percent of union members on Nov. 2.

The work stoppage could potentially leave classes without instructors and professors without workers to grade assignments. It could also halt a significant portion of the research that occurs at UC campuses.

City News Service contributed to this report.