Demonstrators picket at UCLA as nearly 48,000 University of California academic workers strike Nov. 14 in a labor action that could shut down some classes and lab work just weeks before final exams. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
About 48,000 unionized academic workers across the University of California’s 10 campuses — who perform the majority of teaching and research at the state’s premier higher education system — walked off the job Monday and Tuesday morning, calling for better pay and benefits.
The demonstrators ask for improvements in several areas including increased compensation, more support for parents, better healthcare for dependents, reduced costs for international student workers, commuting and disability support, and bullying protections.
The workers pledged to be back for as long as it takes to get a deal done.
Demonstrators picket at UCLA. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Alex Chubick, a student researcher in the human genetics department, leads demonstrators in a chant at UCLA. Chubick is getting ready to graduate but says it's important to fight for new students coming in. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Union leaders say the strike will be the largest at any academic institution in history. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
It wasn't immediately clear how many classes, labs or scheduled academic activities were interrupted Monday, but students at UCLA reported some classes canceled. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
In addition to pay increases, workers are seeking child-care subsidies, enhanced healthcare benefits for dependents, public transit passes, lower tuition costs for international scholars and better accessibility for workers with disabilities. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
International students, the strikers said, have to pay non-resident tuition fees, which put them on a "treadmill" to complete their degrees in five years, because the university won't cover their fees beyond five years. (Adriana Heldiz / San Diego Union-Tribune)
A group of 33 state lawmakers sent a letter in support of the graduate student workers urging UC President Michael Drake to bargain in good faith. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
UC has offered a salary scale increase of 7% in the first year and 3% in each subsequent year, but workers have said that's not sufficient. (Adriana Heldiz / San Diego Union-Tribune)
UC San Diego academic workers strike in front of Geisel Library on campus. (Adriana Heldiz / San Diego Union-Tribune)
Unionized academic workers, student researchers, and post-doctoral scholars demanding better pay and benefits rally at University of California Irvine on Nov. 15, in Irvine. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Union leaders are asking for large wage increases for academic workers because most of their members are "rent-burdened," which means they spend more than 30% of their income on rent. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Among other demands, union leaders are asking for $2,000-a-month reimbursement for childcare, full tuition subsidies for UC childcare programs and expanded paid family leave options. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Union leaders point out that graduate workers deserve a living wage while powering UC's cutting-edge research and premier coursework. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Unionized workers have also demanded free public transit passes for academic workers, cash incentives to commute sustainably and subsidies to purchase and maintain bikes and e-bikes, as well as improved campus cycling infrastructure, according to the UAW. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
UC Irvine students walk in support of 48,000 unionized academic workers across the University of California system on Monday morning. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)
A banner supporting UC unionized academic workers is displayed by protesters at UC Irvine on Monday. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)
Students demonstrated near the student union building at UC Irvine on Monday and pledged to be back for as long as it takes to get a deal done. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)
Two students walk with picket signs on Monday on US Irvine campus. Substantial progress seemed unlikely, at least Tuesday, as university officials offered to meet with only one of the four units in the afternoon, and had made no offer to meet again with the other bargaining teams. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)
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