University of California (UC) academic workers, represented by United Auto Workers Local 4811, have voted to authorize a strike in response to the university system's handling of campus protests supporting Palestinians. The union represents over 48,000 student workers, graduate students, postdocs, and researchers across ten UC campuses and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The vote passed with 79% approval.
Two weeks ago, counterprotesters attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA without police intervention or arrests. Officers later arrested over 200 people and tore down the encampment. The union stated that the university unilaterally changed policies regarding free speech, discriminated against pro-Palestinian speech, and created an unsafe work environment by allowing attacks on protesters.
The strike authorization does not guarantee a strike but rather gives the executive board of UAW 4811 the ability to call for one at any time. The union has announced plans for 'stand-up' strikes following the example of autoworkers, which involves asking workers to walk out at specific locations rather than all at once.
UC believes that a strike sets a dangerous precedent and could significantly impact its ability to deliver on promises to students, community, and the State of California. The union has issued demands including amnesty for arrested students and faculty, divestment from companies profiting from the war in Gaza, and researchers opting out from military funding or oppression of Palestinians.
The university system has not yet responded to these demands.
