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On February 26th, both AFSCME 3299 and UPTE members across the University of California (UC) system went on strike. This comes amid contract negotiations stalling for both unions. During these negotiations, the UC is sharply raising healthcare costs and fostering a decline in working conditions due to the lack of negotiations. We visited UC Riverside to speak with and join workers on the picket line, hearing their concerns directly.
AFSCME 3299’s strike would end on February 27th while UPTE’s continued on until Friday, February 29th. For the days that their strikes overlapped, there was a powerful show of solidarity and strength. Workers and union members marched side by side, sharing chants and showing the UC that workers make the 10-campus wide system function.
Both AFSCME 3299 and UPTE represent a diverse range of workers across the UC system. Their ranks include case managers, IT workers, researchers, therapists, healthcare providers, cooks, and data center technicians. For nearly all of these workers, their departments have been downsized.
A pattern of neglect
Workers shared similar issues from food service, IT departments, to therapists – understaffing is a chronic issue across campus. Departments are shrinking and union members are witnessing it all. When staff leave due to poor conditions or retire, they aren’t replaced. These workers serve students — the future — and they’re forced to provide subpar care and services by the UC, who won’t staff essential departments properly.
We spoke with an UPTE member in the system administration department, at length about conditions in their workplace. They described a workplace rife with safety concerns which have been ignored by the campus Environmental Health and Safety office. Roofs and floors are falling apart, having last been worked on in the 1960s and 70s. Many of their coworkers have actually fallen through the old floor panels. These appalling conditions are present while the UC is continually building and increasing enrollment. This expansion is coming at the cost of both worker safety and student happiness.
AFSCME 3299 members described similar conditions to past strikes that we’ve covered, as they’ve all been part of just one contract campaign. An atmosphere of intimidation, disrespect, and stress has plagued these workers as they fight for a better contract.
Management ignores worker demands, leaving dining halls with skeleton crews where the stress and demanding conditions lead to injuries. Burns, cuts, and other accidents become more likely without proper staffing. These accidents aren’t simply the fault of workers though, but of a boss who considers profits over workers. Amid this atmosphere though, there is a feeling of strength. They’re ready to fight.
Below, see three video interviews we got with striking workers from AFSCME 3299 and UPTE. Let’s continue to support them both until they get the contract they deserve!
