UC campuses face strikes from UPTE over ongoing healthcare concerns
CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Nationwide strikes have been held by University Professional and Technical Employees (UTPE) at Universities of California (UC)'s across the state, in response to the illegal healthcare activities they have been accused of.
Today, April 1st 2025, marked the third strike in 6 months the UC employees have planned and participated in. UTPE having been in works since October of 2024 for a new union contract, in the midst of a pattern of engaged UC unlawful conduct in bargaining. The UC system was also accused of increasing healthcare premiums after promises they would not do so.
The following colleges participated in the strike earlier today: University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California Irvine (UCI), University of California San Diego (UCSD), University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and University of California Center Sacramento.
During the peaceful protests throughout the state, members of UTPE were all seen holding the same signs. A blue one saying, " On Strike! Against Unfair Labor Practices. For our Patients. For our research. For our Students," and a second green one reading, " AFSCME 3299. On Strike. Solidarity."
UTPE workers, seen in blue, are responsible for the strikes beginning. They had major concerns with the effect the staffing crisis was having on students attending UCs.
State and national averages for wait times in hospitals range from 191-206 minutes. Students at UCSF have been left with delayed wait times of up to 258 minutes at the UCs emergency department. As well as optometry appointments being scheduled as far as three months out for other schools.
From October 2018 to October of 2023 front line professional and support staff increased but only 18.6% whereas senior executive leader grew by 42.5%.
Concerns are being raised as wait times continue to climb at a fast rate, and staff numbers stay at low percentages.
UTPE hopes that the strikes will bring a faster contract negotiation, as well as reasonable times for patient care in the long run.
“Students come to us for help navigating challenges like loss, mental health crises, substance use, assault, and more, and are often met with long wait times and difficulty receiving care. It’s frustrating that instead of engaging with us in a meaningful way to address the staffing crisis, UC is refusing to seriously consider proposals from the workers who support student mental health, or sincerely discuss any of the proposals that have been brought forth to address the staffing crisis that is rampant across the UC. Forcing newly-organized workers into their own separate bargaining tables is a trick to delay negotiations and demoralize workers, and does nothing to help students," said Angie Bryan, a behavioral health clinician at UC Santa Barbara.
As this negotiation continues to be bargained for, UTPE will continue to fight for prioritization of student mental and physical health.
This is a developing story, and will continue to be covered as more updates become available.
For more information on the ongoing strikes including calendar dates and locations, visit: https://afscme3299.org/
