A union representing service and patient care workers at the University of California voted last week to authorize a strike for the third time in less than a year, according to a union statement released Friday.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 is currently in negotiations to finalize a four-year agreement with the University regarding issues that include a wage increase and the union’s call for higher staffing levels at the University’s facilities.
According to the union’s statement, workers voted to approve a strike because the increases offered by the UC are not adequate. The statement said AFSCME is also concerned about “increasing replacement of career positions with temporary workers and inexperienced, low-wage sub-contractors.”
The UC tried to convince the leadership of AFSCME, the University’s largest union, to call off the vote, as a strike would not benefit either side, said Dianne Klein, a UC spokeswoman. Klein said the UC has made a fair offer to the union and that includes competitive wage increases.
Two previous AFSCME strikes occurred in May and November of last year. The first strike in November stemmed from allegations by the union claiming unfair labor practices by UC.
The UC has not yet been notified that a strike will actually take place, Klein said.
Compiled by Alex Torpey, Bruin contributor.