Unfair Labor Practice Strike: UC optometrists hit the picket line February 6 - 7 in SF, LA, San Diego, and Davis

For over a year, our optometrist colleagues at the University of California have faced UC's bad-faith bargaining, resulting in prolonged negotiations and the loss of skilled staff. UC's initial proposals have been unacceptably low. They've refused to discuss pressing issues like pay scale placement and have failed to promptly provide the necessary information for us to bargain effectively.

Fed up with UC's unfair labor practices, our optometrist members overwhelmingly voted to hold a ULP strike on February 6 and 7, 2024. Optometrists across the state will be on strike, but picket line locations will be concentrated in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Davis, and San Diego. 

In addition to conducting routine eye care, optometrists perform triage, pre- and post-op procedures, handle complicated referrals, and work with vulnerable populations in clinics across the state. Despite their efforts to secure a contract that will invest in the care they provide, optometrists report increasing patient loads, short-staffing, and below-market pay. This leads to recruitment and retention issues, which result in delayed care for patients.

UC routinely cries poverty despite being one of the most well-funded systems in the nation. UC has seen its investment assets grow to a staggering $152.3 billion, representing a 60.5% increase since 2014. The system has $28 billion in cash reserves. Their behavior stands in stark contrast with UC's publicly stated mission and values, which emphasize a commitment to health, innovation, and service. 

"The consequences are clear as day: more optometrists are leaving, and we face hiring difficulties and longer wait times, jeopardizing patient health," said Nicole Marcho, an optometrist at UCSF. "Delaying eye care can lead to a higher risk of unnoticed or poorly managed eye conditions, potential eye damage, and loss of vision, particularly in cases of glaucoma. We are advocating for the resources to provide top-quality healthcare to our patients, but instead, we face unfair labor practices and bad-faith bargaining from UC, affecting our ability to hire, retain, and manage increasing wait times, which puts patient care at risk."

UPTE has been pleased to see elected officials across the state voice support for UC optometrists. "I stand in solidarity with optometrists in their fight for fair treatment, better working conditions, and the necessary resources to provide the highest standard of care to their patients," said California State Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D–San Leandro), chair of the State Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment. Members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors have also introduced a resolution in support of these workers and their strike, which is currently sponsored by six Supervisors.

"UC's bad-faith tactics are designed to prevent agreement rather than facilitate one, and they are unfair labor practices prohibited by law. Such actions by UC prolong the negotiation process and further exacerbate the existing issues—namely recruiting and retaining optometrists to provide world-class patient care. Our patients deserve better, and so do we," said Hai Tong, an Optometrist 3 working at the UC Davis

While UPTE is not calling for other workers to strike since they are under contract, your presence and support on the picket lines is crucial.