UCLA Housing will alter services in response to patient technical care workers’ strike

By Erin Donnelly

In the most recent in a string of events surrounding a planned strike by University of California workers for next week, UCLA Housing and Hospitality Services announced it will be making temporary “adjustments” to its dining and housekeeping services.

The University and other state organizations, however, continue to try to take legal action to prevent the strike, which is planned for Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

The union that plans to strike – the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 – represents patient care and service workers across the UC.

A separate union that represents the Hill’s food service, custodial and storekeeping employees also intends to strike on May 21 out of “sympathy” with AFSCME, according to UCLA Housing.

In an email sent to all Hill residents on Thursday, UCLA Housing officials said they are required to recognize the first day of the strike and will alter their dining and housekeeping services. A new dining schedule for Tuesday will be posted on Sunday, according to the email.

AFSCME is striking in protest of what members call unfair worker compensation. UC officials have said the union will not agree to the pension proposals the University put forward, while the union raises the issue of high executive salary and low worker pay throughout the system.

The tension between the University and the union stems from ongoing negotiations that started last year regarding worker pay and pension contracts, in which both sides say they have reached a stalemate.

The UC announced today that a state agency that oversees collective bargaining activities for public employers called the California Public Employment Relations Board is seeking an injuction against AFSCME 3299 to limit the number of striking workers.

Last week, the UC said it plans to file a restraining order against the union to prevent striking and ensure patient care safety.

Multiple AFSCME representatives protested at the UC Board of Regents meeting earlier this week in regards to pension reform. Thirteen members and supporters were arrested for unlawful assembly.

Compiled by Katherine Hafner and Erin Donnelly, Bruin senior staff.

[Source]: Daily Bruin