The union representing about 4,000 professional and technical workers at two hospitals operated by the University of California, San Francisco, is threatening to strike Wednesday as it bargains for a new contract.
The University Professional and Technical Employees union is seeking a three-year agreement with raises of 9% the first year and 8% in each of the following two year. UC has proposed 5% the first year and 3% in the following two years. The two sides are also apart on a range of issues including higher health care premiums.
The union, which is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America, has scheduled a two-day strike at UCSF’s Parnassus and Mission Bay campuses starting Wednesday. It asserts UC is not bargaining in good faith.
In a statement, UC said the strike announcement was “premature and not consistent with the hard work that continues at the table to reach a fair agreement.”
The union contends that staffing has not kept pace with a rise in patients, resulting in a decline in patient care.
“Workers are urging the university to address systemwide staff shortages that have resulted in overcrowded emergency rooms, longer wait times, and research delays,” the union said in a statement Friday.
The union represents physician assistants, pharmacists, RN case managers, rehabilitation specialists, mental health clinicians, clinical lab scientists, optometrists, staff research associates, language interpreters and information technology workers.
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