Hundreds of UC Santa Cruz employees join systemwide unfair labor practices strike

More than 200 UC Santa Cruz health care, research and technical workers from two unions on Wednesday walked off the job and onto the picket line as part of a multiday strike at campuses across the University of California system. 

The University Professional and Technical Employees-CWA (UPTE) Local 9119, which represents nearly 20,000 UC system employees, launched the three-day strike to call out what it has deemed unfair labor practices by the university. The labor union represents physician assistants, pharmacists, mental health clinicians and information technology professionals, with about 223 workers at UCSC.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299, a union representing 40,000 university system employees, also launched a two-day strike on Wednesday. Custodial and transportation workers make up a large majority of the more than 500 UCSC employees represented by AFSCME 3299; about 30 are patient care professionals. 

The unions joined forces at UC Santa Cruz’s main entrance at High and Bay streets; those picketing marched back and forth through the intersection. UPTE will strike through Friday; ASCME will conclude its strike after Thursday. 

The strike comes as the unions have struggled since 2024 to negotiate new contracts — AFSCME has been negotiating since January of last year, UPTE since June. Both unions’ contracts expired in October. 

AFSCME has asked to build in an 18% cost-of-living adjustment spread out over a five-year contract and that all union employees make at least $25 per hour starting July 1. UPTE similarly wants a cost-of-living pay increase built into its contract — 11% spread over three years — as well as a wage floor of $25 per hour and expanded vacation, sick leave and health coverage.  

According to a 490-page charge from the union to California Public Employment Relations Board, UC system administrators had attempted to “silence whistleblowers” who were speaking out about a growing staffing shortage affecting employees and services. UPTE had been negotiating a new contract for eight months. 

Specifically, the charge highlights University of California restrictions on protests, which ban unauthorized structures and require permits for amplified sound, including bullhorns. The university’s administration did not clarify, when asked by the union, whether the structures ban pertained to temporary tables and shades for weather protection, which the union alleged was an unlawful failure to provide necessary and relevant information. 

“Instead of addressing the decline in real wages that has fueled the staff exodus at UC Medical Centers and Campuses at the bargaining table, UC has chosen to illegally implement arbitrary rules aimed at silencing workers who are raising concerns while limiting their access to union representatives,” AFSCME Local 3299 President Michael Avant said in a media release. “UC’s blatantly illegal actions are interfering with workers’ free speech. It’s time the University started listening to us and engaging in constructive negotiations rather than intimidation tactics.

Sherwin Zaldivar, a dining services employee at UC Santa Cruz, attended the strike Wednesday morning with his 1-year-old daughter. He said the union was “after fair wages,” as Santa Cruz’s cost of living has gotten too out of control. In 2023 and 2024, the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metropolitan area was named the most unaffordable rental housing market in the U.S., a measure of median wages compared to median rent prices. 

“We want to make sure that everyone gets to afford to live here,” he said. 

Janet Mucino, a custodial worker with ASCME who has worked at UC Santa Cruz for nearly a quarter-century, said the strike was meant to get the UC system back to the bargaining table. 

“We expect the university to act in good faith and go back to the table and give us what we’re asking for and what we deserve,” Mucino said. “If we don’t get it, we will continue to show up.” 

Christopher Contreras, who also works as a custodial employee but has been at the job for only three years, said he spends two hours commuting every day, as the only place he could find affordable housing was in Salinas. He splits time between working at the university — he called working on a college campus his “dream” — and a Friday-to-Sunday shift at a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant to subsidize his income. 

“I just think we should be able to work just one job to afford everything,” Contreras said. “We take care of the UC, and the UC should take care of us.” 

The strike has closed down some dining and food services, and forced some shuttle and bus delays due dining staff and transit drivers being represented by AFSCME. The campus’ Student Health Center has limited appointment availability, and counseling and psychological services have moved toward focusing on crisis services, as the strike will limit staff availability. 

Kevin Painchaud contributed to this report.

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