UC Strike Update: UC Campus Strike Postponed as Both Parties Return to Bargaining Table

The University of California and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees released a joint statement on May 29, 2008 announcing that they will be returning to the bargaining table and that the strike planned for June 4-5 will not occur. AFSCME has since stated that the "State Board Orders Us Back To Bargaining Table Because UC Claims They Have More To Offer" and has announced a "Statewide Day of Action" for June 4, 2008, planning "picketing and actions on every campus and medical center across the state."

These statements came days after AFCSME announced the strike on May 23 in response to an overwhelming 97% vote by union members. AFSCME Local 3299 has been involved in a ten-month long negotiation with the UC system over wages, claiming that service workers in the UC system make up to 25% less than those in equivalent positions working for private hospitals and community colleges. The UC system attempted to gain a restraining order on May 27, claiming that a strike from AFSCME workers in critical positions could endanger students and patients.

In a statement released May 30, AFSCME announced that former president Bill Clinton and CA Assembly Speaker Emeritus, Fabian Núñez have pledged not to fulfill their speaking engagements at UC graduation commencements unless a new contract is guaranteed to the workers. Clinton is scheduled to speak to UCLA on June 13 and Núñez had previously committed to speaking at UC, Davis on June 11.

Students interviewed at the UC, Santa Cruz campus had mixed responses to both the announcement of the strike and its cancellation. Many were quick to offer support to the striking service workers, but some students, worried about turning in final papers on the last days of instruction for the spring quarter, complained of the timing.

A teaching assistant in the philosophy department, speaking anonymously, pointed out, "Well, that's kind of the point. You have to hit them where it hurts." When asked about the cancellation of the strike, he was cautious, "It could be a good thing." Other students condemned the cancellation, claiming that the rank and file had voted almost unanimously for the strike and that this was simply a stalling tactic on the part of the UC system.

Ernesto Encinas, a cook represented by the union, shares this opinion. "My gut feeling is: they had ten months. An impasse had been reached." Encinas expressed frustration at what he characterized as the "politics" of the situation. "This isn't a game. This is people's lives."

Not all students have been supportive of the strike. A graduating psychology student, also speaking anonymously, reacted poorly to the complaints of the UC workers, claiming that their demands are "unreasonable". Citing an article detailing the yearly wage of a gardener ($28,000), she responded, "People with degrees aren't making that. I'll take it."

The University of California employs more than 20,000 workers represented by AFSCME at 10 campuses and medical centers.

Related Article:
Strike Planned for University of California Campuses June 4 and 5, 2008

Sources:
Joint Statement from AFSCME and the UC system on strike cancellation
AFSCME's statement on strike postponement and "Statewide Day of Action"
Original press release announcing strike
UC's statement on restraining order
Article in Santa Cruz Sentinel citing gardener's salary