University of California healthcare workers launch three-day strike ...
More than 15,000 University of California radiologists, nurse’s aides and other patient care workers have scheduled a three-day strike beginning Tuesday.
The workers with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 were expected to be joined by 24,000 other union members in a sympathy strike. The supporting strikers include service workers from AFSCME and pharmacists, physician assistants and other members of the University Professional & Technical Employees-CWA 9119.
The union and university reached an impasse last year over disagreements about pay increases, healthcare premiums and outsourcing. AFSCME is asking for a 6% annual raise per year plus additional payments over four years; UC is offering 3% plus a onetime payment of $750 after a contract is ratified. The union is rejecting the university’s demands for higher healthcare premiums.
In recent months, UC has reached a labor agreement with United Auto Workers Local 2865, representing academic student employees, and the California Nurses Assn./National Nurses United. Both contracts provided 3% annual raises.
http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-edu-uc-three-day-strike-20181023-story.html
