Union's five-day strike at UC campuses comes to a close

On the final day of a five-day strike, Democratic state legislators spoke Friday at a rally in Westwood in support of members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The union had initiated the strike at University of California facilities despite a court order prohibiting the action.

 

At UCLA, the union represents approximately 5,425 employees, including 3,200 patient-care technical employees, most at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and 2,225 service employees, most on the main campus.

 

While a number of workers did not report to work during the week at the UCLA Health's hospitals and main campus, most did show up as scheduled. During the strike, the two emergency departments, at Reagan UCLA Medical Center and Santa Monica–UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital, functioned without interruption. University administrators emphasized that the paramount concern for UCLA's hospitals is the health and well-being of its patients.

 

Among the speakers at the rally, before a crowd of about 300 picketers, were state Sen. Gilbert Cedillo of Los Angeles and Assemblymen Hector De La Torre of South Gate, Mike Eng of Monterey Park, Edward P. Hernandez of West Covina, Tony Mendoza of Norwalk and Anthony J. Portantino of Pasadena. All are Democrats. Also speaking was Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

 

The University of California will continue its best efforts to achieve fair agreements for its patient-care and service employees as soon as possible.