Two unions representing UCLA Health and David Geffen School of Medicine employees are asking their members to strike across the University of California system for 24 hours starting at midnight on Thursday, May 16.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) represents patient care technical and service employees. The University Professional and Technical Employees union (UPTE) represents research support, technical support and health care professional employees.
“Detailed plans have been developed to minimize disruptions, maintain access to our hospitals and clinics, and continue to serve our patients, students, trainees and community,” said Johnese Spisso, president of UCLA Health and CEO of the UCLA Hospital System, and Kelsey Martin, MD, PhD, dean of the medical school. “Even as we value the contributions of all employees and respect their rights, we are committed to our shared mission of providing leading-edge patient care, research and medical training.”
The impact of the strike on hospital and clinic operations has been minimal. UCLA Health is evaluating resources and strategically deploying staff and managers to ensure the highest priority – providing safe, high-quality care. Prior to the strike, UCLA Health retained temporary contract staff with extensive qualifications and experience. A limited number of outpatient and elective procedures – such as diagnostic imaging – were re-scheduled for times either before or after the strike.
The University of California (UC) Office of the President negotiates contracts with the labor unions on behalf of UCLA and other UC campuses.
Information about the collective-bargaining process is available on this and from the UC media office. Contact: 510-987-9200,
Striking Unions
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Among the patient care technical employees in this union are medical assistants; perfusionists; phlebotomists; and emergency trauma and radiology technicians. AFSCME service employees include custodians, security guards and food service workers.
University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE)
Among the members of this union are clinical lab scientists; pharmacists; physician assistants; clinical social workers; speech pathologists; occupational and physical therapists; research lab assistants; and various staff research associate positions.
