A union representing 8,500 University of California service workers, including approximately 2,225 at UCLA, has notified UC labor contract negotiators that it is organizing a strike, to begin as early as July 12.
In the event of a job action by the service workers, who are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), UCLA is committed to maintaining essential services and minimizing any disruptions. For example:
- Managers, supervisors and contract employees will perform tasks in areas where additional support is needed.
- Delivery schedules will be altered to ensure maintenance of medical and other key supplies.
- Menu options offered by catering services and UCLA medical facilities will be reduced, and the use of disposable utensils will be increased.
- Cleaning and maintenance schedules will be modified.
- Extra vigilance will be paid to ensuring the safety of patients, students, faculty, staff and the general public on campus.
Among the 2,225 UCLA service workers represented by AFSCME are cooks, servers and other food service and catering personnel; custodians, groundskeepers and other facilities and maintenance employees; campus shuttle drivers, information kiosk and other transportation services workers; and food service, custodial and housekeeping personnel at UCLA medical facilities in Westwood and Santa Monica and at their affiliated medical school.
It is unclear how many workers would participate in a job action and precisely when it would occur.
The union's contract with the UC system expired earlier this year, and the parties have been unable to agree on terms of a new agreement. The UC Office of the President, which handles labor contract negotiations on behalf of the 10 UC campuses and affiliated medical centers, posted information on July 3 saying that the union has not responded to the university's latest proposal for wage increases and urged the union to return to negotiations.
UCLA values the contributions of all employees, who perform critical duties that support teaching and research and provide service to students and patients, and is hopeful of a fair and equitable resolution soon. The UC system strives to offer its employees the most competitive salaries and benefits within available resources.
While UCLA respects the free speech and labor rights of employees, the campus is obligated to maintain essential services and to provide a productive and safe work environment.
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