UC implements last contract offer without reaching settlement, workers protest
By Daily Bruin
July 26, 2013 4:22 p.m.
This post was updated at 5:45 p.m.
Police arrested 25 people in Westwood Friday during a protest organized by unionized University of California patient care workers against the UC, which recently announced it has implemented its last contract offer without reaching a settlement.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees 3299 chapter, which represents about 12,000 UC patient care workers, had been deadlocked in negotiations with the University for several months.
AFSCME workers said they are upset that the University did not increase staffing levels at the UC’s medical centers when UC executives earn six-figure salaries. AFSCME members have said they are overworked and that patient care has been compromised.
More than 200 UC employees, AFSCME staff members and other supporters marched in a circle at the corner of Westwood Boulevard and Le Conte Avenue, crying various chants such as “UC, UC, you’re no good, treat your workers like you should.”
The demonstrators then marched down Westwood Boulevard and blocked the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Westwood Boulevard. Police then arrested 25 of the protestors sitting in the middle of the intersection because they would not disperse, said Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Andy Neiman. No injuries were reported, Neiman said.
The contract implemented for AFSCME 3299 by the UC includes increased pension contribution rates for workers, a paid time-off program that combines sick leave and vacation days and 2 percent wage increase in July and a 1.5 percent wage increase around Oct. 1, among other components.
Compiled by Kristen Taketa, Bruin contributor.
