News Update

48,000 academic workers walk off the job at UC

Thousands of teaching assistants, researchers, tutors and other academic workers went on strike Monday at all 10 campuses of the University of California plus Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, demanding better pay and other benefits.

The strike comes amid union contracts talks with the university, according to the Los Angeles Times. Union members are asking for salary increases, better health insurance for dependents, childcare subsidies, transit passes, lower tuition for international students and improved accommodations for people with disabilities.

The strike will affect classes and research at every campus, including those conducting midterm exams.

“We are negotiating with the university around the clock and listening to all their offers,” said Rafael Jaime, president of UAW 2865, which represents almost half of the workers. “We’re going to be out here as long as it takes.”