UC Santa Barbara Healthcare, Research, and Tech Workers Join Statewide Strike Over Labor Disputes 


UC SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Members of the union (UPTE), which represents a wide range of technical, professional, and research employees at the University of California (UC) system, are speaking out against what they say are unfair labor practices by the UC system.

They claim UC healthcare is understaffed—so much so that students in need of medical care are turned away on a near-daily basis.

Dozens of workers and allies marched through UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday, chanting “The workers united will never be divided” and “UC greed has got to go.”

As mariachi musicians strummed their guitars to boost morale, UC workers spread their message across the campus.

“We don't have enough staff to support the students. So it has an even greater impact when we strike. And the UC can easily change that by coming back and bargaining in good faith,” said UCSB Staff Research Associate Samuel Feinstein.

“Typically, appointments are kind of stacked. So if you do fill out an appointment request, it's going to be about two or so weeks,” said UCSB student Yeshua Valdez.

However, the University of California Office of the President disputes these claims, stating that data shared with the union shows the number of UPTE-represented employees is increasing, separations are declining, and turnover is leveling off.

One UCSB physician assistant emphasized the importance of standing in solidarity with newer colleagues, who, he says, do not receive the same benefits he does.

“I want to go to work and not see them stressed because they just had a two-hour commute. I don't want to see them stressed because they can't put food on the table. I don't want to witness those struggles—it’s not supposed to be my responsibility to fix them,” said UCSB Physician Assistant Michael Banaron.

The pay scales for the 1,000 new UPTE members have yet to be negotiated.

On Tuesday, the University of California Office of the President issued a statement saying, in part:
“These strikes cost the university system millions of dollars at a time when federal and state funding is uncertain. UPTE and AFSCME are not being forthright in their characterizations, which is upsetting, as we’ve made sincere efforts to find mutually beneficial solutions. Regardless, we are hopeful AFSCME and UPTE will make meaningful efforts to settle these contracts soon.”