UC Santa Cruz Workers Strike for May Day

UC Santa Cruz service and patient care workers went on a 1 day strike Thursday, as picket lines began on UC campuses around California. Strikers say that a statewide hiring freeze put in place by The University of California back in March is the reason behind the strike, many calling it unlawful.

The striker's union, UPTE, says that UC put the hiring freeze in place without any prior notice or offer to negotiate with the union, officials saying that it is particularly insulting due to what they call dire shortstaffing for service and patient care workers that have been wearing down the workforce.

Strikers also say that contract negotiations have been going with UC for nearly a year now, saying that not only are they not getting offers that keep up with the growing cost of living, but are bringing down benefits on offer to employees, offering a contract that would see employees pay more into their insurance for the same benefits.

This is the 4th strike by the union since the start of 2025.