Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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.”
Support for LAist comes from
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.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist