Almost 39,000 UC union workers plan to strike on campuses this Thursday.

Nearly 39,000 service and patient care workers at University of California (UC) medical centers and campuses across the state are preparing for an open-ended strike, commencing early on Thursday, May 14. This significant labor action is being organized by Local 3299 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), amid escalating concerns over staffing levels and worker compensation.

The union’s primary objective is to address the alleged practices of short-staffing and resource cuts within UC facilities. Union representatives highlight that many of these employees, classified as some of the lowest-paid workers at the university, have been without a contract for two years. Statements from union spokesperson Todd Stenhouse indicate that the workers are facing financial hardship, exacerbated by stagnant wages and inadequate investment in their labor conditions.

AFSCME officials note that the workers affected are under two separate labor contracts. One contract, which covers custodians, food service personnel, groundskeepers, and security staff, lapsed on October 31, 2024. The second contract, encompassing workers in patient care roles, such as medical assistants and various specialized technicians, expired on July 31, 2024.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the university’s substantial financial decisions, including significant investments in acquiring new facilities and providing substantial pay increases to top executives, which union officials argue come at the cost of frontline workers. AFSCME Local 3299 President Michael Avant has asserted that the university’s imposed terms effectively amount to pay cuts and has criticized UC’s lack of engagement on issues related to the housing crisis, contributing to dire situations where some employees are reported to be sleeping in their cars or in homeless shelters.

While UC has acknowledged the allegations of homelessness among its employees, university representatives maintain that they are acutely aware of the financial pressures many workers face related to housing and cost of living. A UC spokeswoman has pointed out that addressing these concerns is integral to ongoing negotiations.

Since the bargaining process began in January 2024, UC has increased its initial pay offer, moving from a proposed 25% total pay growth to 33% as of late April. This proposal includes a ratification bonus of up to ,000 and provisions for longevity payments for long-serving staff, alongside measures to mitigate healthcare costs through 2029. If accepted, the proposed pay increase would be retroactive from 2024 through 2029.

As of late Wednesday, university representatives confirmed ongoing discussions, emphasizing a collaborative approach to reach a satisfactory resolution. Union picketing is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday across all UC campuses and medical centers, including notable facilities such as UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center and UC San Diego Medical Center Hillcrest. Daily rallies are anticipated at 11:30 a.m. until an agreement is achieved between the union and UC.

The outcome of these negotiations will impact not only thousands of workers but also the operational capacity of UC medical centers and the quality of service provided to patients throughout California.