Twenty thousand University of California healthcare, research and technical professionals across the state have voted by an overwhelming 98% percent margin to authorize an Unfair Labor Practice strike. The strike will occur February 26, 27, and 28 across UC campuses and medical centers. 

The vote is a direct result of the University of California’s continued failure to address the unfair labor practices that are fuelling the staffing crisis and hindering patient care, lifesaving research, and student support. Members of the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE-CWA Local 9119) have been participating in bargaining for 8 months, with all contracts expiring at the end of October of 2024. 

Today’s strike vote announcement follows multiple unfair labor practices by the University, including the implementation of speech-restrictive policies that make it harder for workers to blow the whistle on the ongoing staffing crisis its unilateral and unlawful decision to impose healthcare cost increases on members—further exacerbating inadequate staffing.