This post was updated April 29 at 11:12 p.m.
Two UC unions have called on nearly 60,000 of their members to strike this Thursday for the third time in three months.
The University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America 9119, which represents researchers and technical workers, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, which represents service, patient care and skilled craft workers, called for the strike in response to the UC systemwide hiring freeze.
UC President Michael Drake announced March 19 that the UC would freeze hiring in response to proposed federal and state budget cuts.
[Related: UC implements systemwide hiring freeze following federal, state threats to budget]
Katherine Alvarado, a UCLA Media Relations spokesperson, said in an emailed statement that dining locations will be consolidated in response to the strike. Only De Neve Residential Restaurant, Epicuria at Covel, Feast at Rieber and various food trucks have remained open during previous strikes.
“In order to maintain services and reduce wait-times during this period, food trucks will be utilized, and dining will be temporarily consolidating locations as well as streamlining menus to ensure we can continue to efficiently serve everyone,” she said in the statement.
Thursday’s strike will be AFSCME Local 3299 and UPTE-CWA 9119’s fourth this academic year. The two unions went on strike April 1 in response to alleged unfair labor practices and struck over multiple days in November and February.
Both unions are yet to reach a contract agreement with the UC. AFSCME Local 3299 and UPTE-CWA 9119 have been in negotiations with the University since January 2024 and June 2024, respectively.
UPTE-CWA 9119 said on its website that the hiring freeze was implemented without giving the union notice or the chance to bargain. The union said it submitted a cease-and-desist order following the freeze, but the University did not change its actions.
Heather Hansen, a spokesperson for the UC Office of the President, said in an emailed statement that the UC is committed to reaching agreements with both unions.
“The University of California remains steadfast in our commitment to reaching fair contract agreements with AFSCME and UPTE,” Hansen said in the statement. “In this era of political instability and significant funding challenges, we aim to collectively align with our labor partners to advocate for UC’s continued mission and impact.”
Max Belasco, the co-chair of UPTE-CWA 9119’s UCLA chapter, said he believes the hiring freeze will exacerbate an ongoing staffing shortage among the union’s members. He added that by issuing the hiring freeze, the University is not upholding its commitment to education and research.
“The UC has an obligation – along with the rest of California – to protect quality public education and cutting edge research,” he said. “You don’t do that by issuing a hiring freeze.”
UPTE-CWA 9119 said on its website that it will return to the bargaining table with the UC on May 8 and May 9, following a new job reclassification proposal by the UC. AFSCME Local 3299 held its most recent bargaining session with the UC April 16, during which Todd Stenhouse, a spokesperson for AFSCME Local 3299, said University leaders walked out.
A spokesperson from the UC Office of the President did not respond in time to a request for comment on the allegation that the UC walked out of bargaining.
May 1 is also May Day, or International Workers’ Day, which recognizes labor movements. Stenhouse said the symbolism of May Day goes hand-in-hand with the conditions that have brought AFSCME Local 3299 to the picket line.
“It is sadly symptomatic that we’re dealing with an institution in the University that seems to, one, be intentionally, within its own workforce ranks, trying to widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots, and similarly, an institution that appears to not think the rules apply to them,” he said.
UCLA Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Darnell Hunt said in a Monday email to the UCLA community that the University has made continuous attempts to reach a contract agreement. He added that this strike is coming at a time when the University is simultaneously facing numerous funding and policy-related challenges.
UCLA is developing plans to minimize disruptions to campus and clinical operations Thursday, he said in the email.
UCLA Mail, Document and Distribution Services said in an April 21 email to employees that the strikes may create disruptions to delivery services. It encouraged in the email for departments to implement continuity plans and stock up on essential supplies.
“This action comes as UC continues to attempt to enter into agreements with AFSCME and UPTE – and during a very difficult time for our entire university, as we face attacks on the value of higher education, budget challenges, a hiring freeze, and further funding reductions at the state and federal levels,” Hunt said in the email.
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