07/14/2008 GAAS:526:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | En Español | Email / Share
Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on UC Strike Impacting Patient Care
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today urged the union representing patient care technical workers and service workers in two units employed by the University of California system to return to the bargaining table. The union has called a 5-day strike beginning today.
"Public safety is my number one priority and this strike could affect the health and well being of many people who rely on the critical services provided by medical support staff," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "While there may be legitimate issues to be resolved, it is unacceptable to use the welfare of innocent people as a bargaining chip. I support the court's action to restrain any unauthorized job actions. I would encourage the union and its members to negotiate in good faith within the order and also encourage both sides to resolve their differences quickly without jeopardizing the public health."
Representatives of the University of California have offered pay raises to patient care workers averaging 30 percent over 5 years, and raises for service employees which would (in addition to other raises received under their expired contract) total 8 percent over the one year running from October 2007 through September 2008. Service employees would have the opportunity to further negotiate with UC officials after passage of a state budget.
The negotiations between UC and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 have been ongoing since August 2007 for the patient care technical unit and since October 2007 for the service unit.
