The 48,000-member University of California (UC) academic workers union has announced a strike at UC Santa Cruz starting Monday, in response to alleged free speech violations during recent pro-Palestinian protests. In a preemptive move, the University of California filed a labor complaint on Friday to halt what they claim is an illegal action, further escalating tensions within the university system.
The union’s decision to strike at the 19,764-student campus, which includes nearly 2,000 graduate students, could significantly disrupt operations during the crucial final weeks of the spring quarter. This strike follows a vote where 79% of union members authorized leadership to call for “rolling” strikes. These strikes are not related to wages or benefits but are aimed at addressing alleged unfair labor practices against union members supporting pro-Palestinian protests, which demand the university divest from Israel and weapons manufacturers.
The union, representing graduate student teaching assistants, researchers, and other academic workers across UC’s 10 campuses, plans to initiate similar work stoppages at other campuses to press UC administrators to change their stance on pro-Palestinian protests.