UCSD Workers Go on Strike Over Wages

LA JOLLA -- Electricians, elevator mechanics, plumbers, facilities workers, and other skilled trades workers launched a one day labor strike at UC San Diego on Nov. 17, demanding higher wages and an end to what they call unfair labor practices.

The strike and picket were launched by Teamsters Local 2010 over what the union says are labor law violations. Contracts for the UCSD workers expired in 2015, and the union said in a statement that they're striking over the university's refusal to negotiate over back wages.

Skilled-trades workers at UCSD earn roughly $32 an hour, which is as much as $10 an hour less than what workers in the area are paid for the same jobs, according to union spokeswoman Teresa Conrow.

Separately, the contract for the 14,000 University of California administrative support workers statewide, also represented by Teamsters Local 2010, is due to expire on Nov. 30. The union has already threatened to strike after the deal's expiration if another agreement isn't in place by then.

"These workers’ real income has declined by 24 percent over the past two decades, and they are now paid so little that 70 percent suffer from food insecurity or hunger according to a recent study," Local 2010 said in a statement. The union is preparing to take statewide strike action, if necessary after expiration of this contract."

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