LOS ANGELES—Thousands of patient care and service workers at UCLA, UC Irvine, and other University of California campuses across the state began a two-day strike Wednesday, alleging unfair bargaining tactics, allegations the UC system denies.
According to the AFSCME Local 3299 union, the strike includes roughly 37,000 UC workers “at every UC campus and medical facility across the state.” The strike began at midnight Wednesday and continues until midnight Thursday night. Picketing both days will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The University’s serial lawbreaking at the bargaining table means that the epidemic of understaffing at UC facilities, and the related cost of living and housing affordability crises plaguing frontline UC workers are only getting worse,” AFSCME Local 3299 President Michael Avant said in a statement. “By failing to meet its most basic legal responsibilities to the dedicated professionals who clean its facilities, serve students food, and treat its patients, UC has left workers with no choice but to exercise their legal right to strike.”…