With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
UC Workers Announce First In A Series Of Strikes Will Be At UC Santa Cruz
Student workers and supporters walk from UCLA to Wilshire boulevard.
(
Julia Barajas
/
LAist
)
Topline:
The union that represents academic workers across the University of California is set to launch its first strike on Monday, at the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. The series of strikes is a response to the university system's crackdown on campus protests.
Why is this happening? The union, UAW 4811, has filed unfair labor practice charges against the University of California. The union alleges that the system violated the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act’s “prohibition on retaliating against employees for engaging in concerted actions related [to] working conditions.”
The union says employees are demanding workplace-related changes, including the right to “opt out of participation in military-funded research as part of employment.”
Sponsored message
UC says: In a statement, a UC system vice president said that the workers’ “decision to strike over non-labor issues violates the no-strike clause of their contracts.” The system also said that the union’s demands are political and fall “outside the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.”
How it'll work: Union leaders have called on workers at UC Santa Cruz to form a picket line, stop all teaching, and “wind down” their research. The union’s president also told workers at other campuses to stand by.
What's the strategy? The union is using “stand-up” strikes that follow the recent example of autoworkers at Ford, Stellantis, and General Motors. It asks workers to walk out at specific locations, rather than all at once — making it harder for universities to plan.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
