University of California academic workers expand strike over response to pro-Palestinian protests

The University of California academic workers union expanded its ongoing strike to UCLA and UC Davis on Tuesday, bringing strikers to a total of about 12,000.

The union representing the University of California’s 48,000 academic and graduate students escalated the confrontation to three campuses on Tuesday morning, just a week after as many as 2,000 of its members took part in protests. The members began picketing. University of California, Santa CruzCal Matters News reports..

By 9 a.m. Tuesday, about 60 members of the United Auto Workers Local 4811 were on picket line. Royce Quad Clashes broke out at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) last month when pro-Israel protesters tried to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment, with police entering the encampment hours after the riots began and making arrests.

Simultaneous picketing began at the University of California, Davis on Tuesday. The union confirmed the news on social media.

The union members are protesting the University of California’s response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus, which led to the arrests and suspensions of several students and union members. They claim that their free speech was violated when UC leaders called in police and forcibly removed a pro-Palestinian encampment. The Los Angeles Times reported last week.

Workers on strike at each campus Carried the sign Tuesday, read, “UAW strikes. Unfair labor practice.”

The union is demanding It provides for “an ‘amnesty’ for all academic personnel, students, student organizations, faculty and staff facing disciplinary action or arrest due to protests” and provides for the protection of free speech and political expression on campuses.

It also calls for UC’s divestment from “known investments in weapons manufacturers, military contractors and companies profiting from Israel’s gas war” and for full disclosure of the UC system’s funding sources and investments.

The union immediately Complained about unfair labor practices It sued UCLA following the clashes earlier this month and later filed similar allegations of violations about police behavior at camp sites at UC San Diego and UC Irvine.

Reached for comment, a UC Davis spokesperson told The Hill: “Our undergraduate students are working hard to prepare for the end of the semester after a challenging year, and we are committed to maintaining a campus environment that helps them succeed.”

Last week, the UC Chancellor’s Office said it was “disappointed” with the continuation of the UAW strike, arguing that the university is violating labor contract agreements that include a no-strike clause to “advance issues unrelated to UC employment.”

“While we are working with campus administrators to minimize disruptions where possible, this is an unavoidable and unfortunate part of an already stressful semester and educational experience for students,” the office said. wrote in a statement.

The Hill has reached out to UCLA for further comment.