Thousands of University of California workers are on strike around the state, including hundreds who rallied at UC Santa Barbara Monday. The union employees hold a wide range of service and patient care jobs. The planned three day strike comes after negotiations for the union representing 25,000 workers statewide and the UC system stalled last week.
The workers are upset over pay and benefits issues. They say wages aren’t keeping up with the cost of living. The union also contends the UC system is outsourcing some job to avoid paying reasonable wages.
UC officials assert the workers are already paid at, or above market rates. They say the union wants to what amounts to a nearly 20% hike over three years.
The strike could broaden, with other unions planning sympathy walkouts Tuesday and Wednesday to support the workers battling the UC system.
