Two unions representing UCLA Health and David Geffen School of Medicine employees say they plan to strike across the University of California system for 24 hours starting at midnight on Wednesday, April. 10.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) notified the university that it was asking patient care technical and service employees to strike. The University Professional and Technical Employees union (UPTE) representing research, technical support and health care professional employees said it was planning a sympathy strike.
"While we value the contributions of all employees and respect their rights, we are committed to maintaining access to our hospitals and clinics and to maintaining the core research, training and education functions of the David Geffen School of Medicine," said Johnese Spisso, president of UCLA Health and CEO of the UCLA Hospital System, and Kelsey Martin, MD, PhD, dean of the medical school. "Detailed plans are in place to minimize disruptions and deliver on our shared mission to meet the needs of our patients, students, trainees and community."
UCLA Health is evaluating resources and strategically deploying staff and managers to ensure the highest priority – providing safe, high-quality care. Prior to the strike, UCLA Health retained temporary contract staff with extensive qualifications and experience. A limited number of outpatient and elective procedures – such as diagnostic imaging – were re-scheduled for times either before or after the strike.
Contracts with the labor unions are negotiated by the University of California (UC) Office of the President on behalf of UCLA and other UC campuses.
Information about the collective-bargaining process is available on this UC website and from the UC media office. Contact: 510-987-9200, [email protected]
Striking Unions
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Among the patient care technical employees in this union are medical assistants; perfusionists; phlebotomists; and emergency trauma and radiology technicians. AFSCME service employees include custodians, security guards and food service workers.
University Professional & Technical Employees (UPTE)
Among the members of this union are clinical lab scientists; pharmacists; physician assistants; clinical social workers; speech pathologists; occupational and physical therapists; research lab assistants; and various staff research associate positions.
