UC System Denounces Planned Davis Workers' Strike

DAVIS, CA -- The University of California is denouncing an upcoming strike planned to take place at all campuses by unionized administrative workers.

Workers are planning to strike on Jan. 10 at all 10 UC campuses, five medical centers and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in solidarity with a five-day strike at the University of California at Los
Angeles, union spokesman Christian Castro said Dec. 15.

A day later, the university system responded.

"We view the Teamsters' planned Jan. 10 strike as premature and unlawful," UC spokesman Ricardo Vazquez said.

"UC has offered these clerical employees a guaranteed 18 percent pay raise over the next six years as well as affordable, quality healthcare benefits and retirement options, including a traditional pension plan that
very few other employers offer," Vazquez said.

Teamsters Local 2010 representatives have said the university "unlawfully refuses to bargain" for retroactive pay raises for some skilled trades workers, who haven't had a raise in four years.

The workers include electricians, elevator mechanics, plumbers and facilities workers who will strike at UCLA from Jan. 6 to Jan. 10.

Teamsters workers have seen their wages drop 24 percent over the last two decades, Castro said, adding that 92 percent can't afford basic necessities.

"UC clerical employees earn an annual average salary of $47,300 - more than the state average of roughly $39,200. These UC employees typically pay only $28.40 a month for complete healthcare coverage for themselves and their children," Vazquez said.

A survey of 2,890 Teamsters Local 2010 workers, released by the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College on Oct. 17, found that 70 percent were food-insecure, meaning they lacked reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

"UC's proposed wage increases ensure salaries for clericals stay market-competitive, and are consistent with increases given to other represented and non-represented employees," Vazquez said.

For more, see original story: UC Davis Admin Workers to Go On Strike

Bay City News contributed to this report/UC seal image via public domain