Update 11/16/2021: This article has been updated to include information from UC Office of the President spokesperson Ryan King.
For the first time since 2002, members of UC-AFT, a union representing university lecturers, have agreed to strike Wednesday and Thursday in response to allegedly unfair labor practices.
In the last 20 months, the union has filed seven charges to the Public Employment Relations Board, according to a UC University Council-American Federation of Teachers, or UC-AFT, press release. These charges allege the university has participated “in a pattern of bad faith bargaining” and that they have allegedly failed to bargain over a paid leave program.
Over the past months, lecturers across the UC system have conducted rallies, calling on the UC Office of the President, or UCOP, to meet their demands. These demands range from increased security of employment to improved compensation and reasonable workloads.
“UC lecturers have had enough,” said UC-AFT President Mia McIver in the press release. “That’s why we have called this strike to protect our collective bargaining rights.”
UCOP, however, feels “disappointed” in the union’s decision to strike, claiming they have bargained “in good faith” and that their revamped Oct. 11 proposal addressed lecturers’ concerns. King added that bargaining sessions have been scheduled for Nov. 15 and Nov. 16.
Check back for updates.
