UC Workers Ready to Strike at Campuses Across California

A student crosses a walkway on the University of California–Irvine campus in Irvine, Calif., on Sept. 25, 2020. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Thousands of unionized workers at University of California campuses across the state are planning to strike beginning Nov. 14 citing unfair working conditions.

About 36,500 union members, represented by the United Auto Workers—an international union representing workers in a variety of sectors, from hospitals to universities—voted overwhelmingly to approve the strike Nov. 2.

More than 75 percent of the union’s 48,000 workers voted to authorize the strike. These include researchers, post-doctorate candidates, fellows, tutors, and teaching assistants at 11 campuses across the UC system, according to the union.

“The week of November 14 could see the largest academic worker strike in US history. It will impact everyone, not just those of us in the bargaining units. All support makes a difference,” UC San Diego Ph.D. candidate Maya Gosztyla wrote on Twitter after the union vote.

Union members are bargaining for four separate contracts with the university for postdoctoral scholars, academic researchers, academic student employees, and graduate student researchers, a university spokesman told The Epoch Times.

“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,” spokesman Ryan King said.

The union claims the university has taken several unlawful actions, including changing compensation, appointments, bullying protections, and bypassing the bargaining process, according to its website. The university has denied these allegations.

University of California has made several proposals for each contract, according to university officials. In the event of a strike, however, each campus is prepared to continue classes and research, the university said.

“The University has provided fair responses to [the union] on priority issues of concern to all four bargaining units, including in areas of fair pay, a respectful work environment, and housing,” King said. “We have listened carefully to [the union’s] priorities with an open mind and a genuine willingness to compromise.”

Negotiations are progressing with many tentative agreements reached on key issues, and the university hopes to reach full agreements with the union as soon as possible, King added.

The union notified workers at UC Irvine and has designated three locations across the campus for picketing.