UCSF workers on strike over layoffs

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – University of California in San Francisco service and patient care workers have begun to strike at UCSF Betty Irene Moore Women’s Hospital on Friday morning. 

The AFSCME Local 3299 President, Michael Avant, said, “Our members are exercising their legal right to strike because the University’s illegal layoff scheme is both financially unjustified and will hurt patients.”

This comes on the heels of UC San Diego staff striking earlier this week, who protested for the same reason.  

According to the union AFSCME 3299, UC layoffs have impacted more than 130 frontline workers, including nursing assistants, lab and surgical technicians, vocational nurses, and radiological technicians. The union filed claims with the State’s Public Employment Relations Board. The union believes the university failed to provide notice or bargain over its layoff plans. 

UCSF issued a statement regarding the strike.“While these layoffs represent approximately 1% of UCS Health’s total workforce, we recognize that these are more than just positions – they are people who have given their time, skill, and heart to UCS Health.”