UC Strike Grows as Palestinian Protest Spreads to Additional Campuses

The University of California (UC) system is facing union strikes that have expanded to three additional campuses due to the handling of pro-Palestinian student protests, intensifying a significant labor dispute, as reported by The Hill.

UAW 4811, the largest union representing UC employees, announced on Instagram that UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara would join the strikes on Monday, followed by UC Irvine on Wednesday.

Joyce Chan, a neurosciences postdoctoral researcher at UC San Diego, urged the UC system to address their grievances seriously, particularly by withdrawing all criminal and disciplinary charges against those arrested for peaceful protest.

The strikes began at UC Santa Cruz on May 2 and have now expanded to five campuses, with more than 31,000 union members participating. The union members were angered by the universities’ responses to the pro-Palestinian protests, especially at UCLA where arrests occurred.

Violent confrontations at UCLA during nationwide demonstrations prompted allegations of delayed police response. The UC administration expressed dismay at the escalation of strikes and sought intervention to impose an injunction, which was denied by the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).

Rafael Jaime, the president of UAW 4811, criticized UC’s legal maneuvers and called for the resolution of serious unfair labor practices. The strikes come as UC students are wrapping up the spring semester, adding urgency to the situation.