Tens of thousands of University of California union workers staged a one-day strike across the state, demanding fair wages and voicing their opposition to what they described as systemic labor injustices.
At a Glance
- The April 1 strike was organized by UPTE-CWA Local 9119 with support from AFSCME Local 3299.
- Workers protested understaffing, low pay, and what they call UC’s illegal union suppression tactics.
- UC disputes claims of a staffing crisis and says it offered generous contract terms.
- Striking workers say long commutes, multiple jobs, and rising costs are unsustainable.
- No agreement has been reached; negotiations remain stalled.
Workers Across UC System Demand Change
On April 1, 2025, University of California workers launched a massive one-day strike across all 10 campuses, medical centers, and research institutions. The labor action, led by the University Professional and Technical Employees-CWA (UPTE-CWA) Local 9119 and supported by AFSCME Local 3299, was triggered by what the unions describe as UC’s refusal to bargain in good faith, particularly on compensation and conditions for recently unionized employees.
“We all want to be in the center, taking care of patients, taking care of students,” said Michael Benaron, a UPTE member. “But we just deserve the dignity of getting paid fairly well for the work that we do. The UC—it’s a world-class institution, and they should be paying world-class wages.”
Allegations of Divide-and-Conquer Tactics
Union leaders allege that the university has engaged in deliberate tactics to fragment labor power, including isolating newly organized employees into separate negotiating processes. UPTE accuses the administration of using a “classic divide-and-conquer strategy,” claiming the goal is to weaken the impact of collective bargaining.
Christopher Contreras, another union representative, echoed the frustrations felt across the workforce. “Many of us work two or three jobs, seven days a week, while commuting up to two hours just to make ends meet. One job should be enough. It’s time for a change.”
Watch coverage of the UC strike and workers’ demands.
UC Responds, Tensions Persist
The University of California has denied claims of illegal activity and emphasized its efforts to minimize disruption. “We have met with AFSCME and UPTE for months,” said UC spokesperson Heather Hansen, adding that UC offered “generous wage increases, monthly healthcare credits, and expanded sick leave.”
Still, many workers remain unconvinced. “Unfortunately, UC has continued its pattern of unlawful behavior,” Benaron said. Others pointed out that low pay forces employees to sleep in their cars or travel long distances to keep their jobs.
Amelia Cutten, a health worker at UCSF, said the strike was “really out here for our patients, for our students, for the research—just blowing the whistle on the staffing crisis and requesting that UC come back and meaningfully bargain.”
A Broader Fight for Labor Dignity
Beyond wages, striking workers emphasized the human toll of UC’s labor practices. Janet Mucino summed up the sentiment: “I have coworkers who have three jobs just to pay rent, just to survive. We are frontliners; we deserve to be treated as humans.”
While UC officials insist they are negotiating in good faith, the stalemate persists, with no resolution in sight. As the cost of living climbs and worker frustration grows, the strike signals an escalating labor conflict at one of the nation’s largest public university systems.
