Tens of thousands of University of California workers take strike action
University of California, Riverside staff members strike over unfair labor practices as members of AFSCME 3299, representing UC service and patient care workers picket along campus on February 26, 2025, in Riverside, Calif. Photo: Anjali Sharif-Paul/The O
TENS of thousands of University of California (UC) physician assistants, optometrists and other healthcare and custodial workers went on strike on Wednesday, alleging unfair labour practices and staffing shortages.
The strikes by two unions, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local (AFSCME) 3299 and the University Professional Technical Employees (UPTE) Local 9119, representing nearly 60,000 healthcare and service workers are separate and come after the unions and 10-campus university system failed to reach a new contract.
AFSCME Local 3299 represents about 37,000 employees, including respiratory therapists, pharmacy techs, mental health workers, custodians and gardeners.
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