Community News

AFSCME Local 3299 Announces Picket Times for Systemwide Strike at University of California, November 17th-18th

 

by: Todd Stenhouse
Published: November 17, 2025

 

CALIFORNIA...More than 40,000 University of California (UC) workers will mount a two-day strike on November 17th (tomorrow) and 18th over UC's failure to settle contracts addressing the cost of living and affordability crises facing the University’s most economically vulnerable workers.  Workers will walk off the job at all UC campuses and medical centers, led by nearly 40,000 AFSCME Local 3299 represented UC Service and Patient Care Technical Workers.

The strike will commence at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, November 17th, and continue until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18th. 

At least five candidates for California Governor—Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Former State Controller Betty Yee, Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Former State Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon—have announced that they will join picket lines to show their support for striking UC workers.

“During nearly two years of bargaining, UC has spent billions of dollars acquiring new facilities, lavishing exorbitant raises on its wealthiest executives and funding housing assistance programs to help these same ivory tower elites buy mansions or second homes---but it won’t offer its frontline workers enough to pay the rent or keep pace with the skyrocketing cost of groceries,” said AFSCME Local 3299 President Michael Avant.  “Our members have had enough of UC’s serial elitism, tone deafness and blatant disrespect for the workers who make this institution run.  That’s why we will strike at every UC campus and Medical Center on November 17th and 18th, and why we are so proud to have the support of students, patients, elected and community leaders from across the state turning out in solidarity.”

AFSCME Local 3299 represents UC custodians, food service workers, patient care assistants and hospital technicians who have been working without a contract for more than a year. Recent media reports have detailed a growing affordability crisis facing these frontline UC service and patient care workers.  Research has also detailed how these workers are being priced out of local housing markets by wage rates that have failed to keep pace with inflation, leading thousands to leave their jobs and fueling growing staff vacancy crisis at UC that threatens both student services and patient care quality.

AFSCME Local 3299 represented UC Patient Care and Service Workers will mount public pickets from 7 a.m.- 4 p.m. at all UC campuses and Medical Centers on November 17th and 18th, with daily rallies planned at 11:30 a.m.  The largest actions will take place at the following locations: