UC Union Workers to Strike

Union workers throughout the University of California system plan to strike for the second time in seven months on November 20. Leaders of AFSCME 3299 — the largest union in the 10-campus and five medical center system — say unfair labor practices and bullying in the workspace after a walkout during the May Hospital Strike (held over staffing levels at UC hospitals) warrant the second demonstration. In response, Dwaine Duckett, the University’s human resources vice president, issued a statement last week: “We urge the union’s leadership to put patients and students first, continue bargaining with UC, and show more flexibility.”