University of California workers strike over hiring freeze

SACREMENTO, CA., May 1, 2025 Hundreds of University of California health-care, research and technical employees, represented by University Professional & Technical Employees (UPTE), walked off the job and marched through downtown Sacramento on May 1, protesting UC’s system-wide hiring freeze announced March 19. Union leaders say the university committed an unfair-labor practice by imposing the freeze without bargaining and that chronic understaffing is “putting patients and research at risk.” Optometrist Heidi Miller told rally-goers that when a colleague calls in sick, patients are pushed to August appointments.

UC officials dispute the notion of a staffing crisis, noting that UPTE head-count has grown, and argue that strikes “cost the university millions” while docking members a day’s pay. They say the freeze is a budget-protection measure as California faces potential cuts and the Trump administration threatens to withhold federal research dollars.

Thursday’s walk-out was UPTE’s fourth since its contract expired in September 2024. Solidarity speakers included Assemblymembers Liz Ortega and Al Muratsuchi and former Senate leader Toni Atkins. Despite the tension, both sides agreed to return to the bargaining table on May 8.

*Source:

https://abc7.com/post/uc-health-care-workers-old-1-day-strike-protest-hiring-freeze/16303928/