UC Patient Care and Service Workers Strike for Fair Wages and Protections

UC Healthcare Worker Strike

• 🏥 While UC nurses averted a strike with a tentative contract deal, patient care and service workers at University of California healthcare facilities have walked off the job.
• ✊ Approximately 40,000 service and patient care employees are demanding higher wages and protections against rising living costs.

Worker Concerns and Demands

• 🏠 Union representatives state that workers are struggling to afford housing, with some facing hours-long commutes.
• 💰 The proposed 28% wage increase over 5 years offered by UC is considered insufficient by striking workers, especially when factoring in increased healthcare costs.
• 💸 Some workers report living on a negative income, making the offered raises feel meaningless.

Union Solidarity and Next Steps

• 🤝 Striking workers, including clinical care partners, are committed to continuing their fight for a contract they believe they deserve.
• 📢 Although nurses have reached a tentative agreement, they are showing solidarity with the striking workers while off the clock.
• ⏳ Nurses are expected to vote on their tentative deal later this week, while patient care and service workers plan to continue negotiations and remain on strike.