Dear Colleagues:
What’s happening?
Strike action is planned on campus by two of our labor unions next week on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.
How did we get here?
Negotiations between the University and UPTE (University Professional and Technical Employees) for a new contract covering the Research Support Professional Unit (which includes staff research associates and museum scientists) and the Technical Unit (which includes technicians, editors, lab assistants, scene technicians, business technical and support analysts, among others) have concluded without coming to an agreed upon contract. Negotiations between UPTE and the University in the Health Care Professional Unit (which includes counseling psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and occupational health technicians) are at impasse. AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) which represents employees in the Patient Care Technical Unit (which includes radiologists, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians and opticians) and the Service Unit (which includes custodians, food service workers, bus drivers, grounds workers) remain at impasse.
The University has been informed of the following strike action:
-
UPTE employees in the Technical Unit and the Research Support Professional Unit will be engaged in a primary strike commencing at 4:00 am, Wednesday, March 20, 2019 and ending at 3:59 am, Thursday, March 21, 2019.
-
UPTE Health Care Professional Unit employees and AFSCME Service Unit and Patient Care Technical Unit employees will strike in sympathy commencing at 4:00 am., Wednesday, March 20, 2019 and ending at 3:59 am, Thursday, March 21, 2019.
What can I expect on campus?
Classes will remain as scheduled, offices will be open, and the campus will provide normal or equivalent services. Faculty, staff, students, and visitors will likely encounter picket lines at some entrances to the campus and buildings. Please remember that the law protects the right of all individuals to cross picket lines. In all previous employee strikes on campus, picketers have been very committed to their point of view but respectful of the views of others. We anticipate that this will continue.
The campus will experience some inconveniences, such as no stack parking and delayed deliveries. The Loop will continue to be available to students, faculty, and staff with disabilities. Night Safety shuttles will operate with reduced buses so wait times might be longer. Perimeter and day shuttle buses may not run; however, AC Transit has routes that traverse the campus. There will be no shuttle service to Campus Shared Services or the Richmond Field Station. Information on the Loop and AC Transit alternatives can be found on the Parking and Transportation website. Campus areas will be prioritized for custodial services. While mail will be delivered to campus, there will be delays in UPS deliveries. IT Client Services will be provided, but might be delayed.
Where are possible picket locations?
While you may encounter strike activity at any entry point to campus, we understand that possible picket locations may include Bancroft Way at Telegraph Avenue.
What if I have additional questions?
Employees with questions about the strike are encouraged to contact Labor Relations at labrel@berkeley.edu or (510) 643-6001. More information for employees can be found on our HR website.
-
For facilities questions, please contact Facilities Services.
-
For parking and transportation questions, contact Parking & Transportation.
-
For up-to-date information about campus operations during the strike, please consult the UC Berkeley NewsCenter.
We continue to be hopeful that the University and the unions will soon reach agreement on the issues outstanding between them.
Sincerely,
Marc and Jo
Marc Fisher
Vice Chancellor, Administration
Jo Mackness
Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
If you are a manager who supervises UC Berkeley employees without email access, please circulate this information to all.
