SAN DIEGO — More than 4,000 UC San Diego healthcare, research, and tech workers represented by the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) union went on a one-day strike Tuesday as part of what the group calls a statewide unfair labor practice strike.
The workers started picketing at the Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health Tuesday morning. They were joined by members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299, which represents UC service workers. The AFSCME said its members joined the work stoppage in solidarity with the UPTE members.
An estimated 20,000 workers were expected to participate in demonstrations being held at UC campuses, hospitals and laboratories across the state, the UPTE said.
In a statement, UPTE accuses the University of California of "continuous bad-faith bargaining and unfair labor practices."
“The latest ULP charge against UC centers on UC forcing newly organized groups of workers into their own separate negotiation process to render the bargaining process hopelessly impractical and ineffective—a classic 'divide-and-conquer' strategy that violates the law,” the union said. “They have also doubled down on their plans to unilaterally and unlawfully increase health insurance costs for some of the most vulnerable union members outside of the bargaining process.”
The University of California Office of the President responded to the union’s claims Tuesday morning.
“We have met with AFSCME and UPTE for months to try to settle these contracts, offering generous wage increases, monthly credits to reduce health care expenses for lower-wage earners, expanded sick leave, and improved ability to schedule vacation time,” it said.
Before the strike, UC San Diego Health released a statement that sought to reassure patients that its doctors, nurses and other health providers would be on staff during the strike but did warn of some possible impacts during the demonstration. People with appointments at the Hillcrest and La Jolla medical campuses are advised to arrive early to allow extra time for parking. It also warned of a possible delay in medication refills.
UPTE and the University of California began negotiating in June.
Similar strikes were held in February.
Source: cbs8.com
