By Amanda Velasco
Nov. 21, 2024 1:39 p.m.
Monica Martinez, a member of the AFSCME Local 3299 bargaining team, said one of the union’s demands is more affordable housing for UC workers. Martinez criticized the UC’s investments in Blackstone, a private equity firm, saying it contributes to the spike in local rent prices.
“The University of California invested $7 billion of my pension fund to Blackstone,” Martinez said. “Take those $7 billion and invest it to actually build housing for the people that work here for you, which they do for upper management and staff and faculty and CEOs.”
Velasco is the 2026-27 News editor and an Enterprise, Photo, PRIME and Quad contributor. She was previously the 2025-26 features and student life editor. Velasco is a third-year public affairs student from Manila, Phillippines.
Velasco is the 2026-27 News editor and an Enterprise, Photo, PRIME and Quad contributor. She was previously the 2025-26 features and student life editor. Velasco is a third-year public affairs student from Manila, Phillippines.
