10 N A T I O N A L N U R S E W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G M A R C H | A P R I L 2 0 1 8
CALIFORNIA
I
n an unprecedented and historic
sympathy strike, more than 14,000
University of California registered
nurses conducted a two-day walk out
May 8 and 9 in solidarity with other univer-
sity union coworkers at the system's five
major medical centers and 10 student
health centers.
Nurses called the sympathy strike to
support members of AFSCME Local 3299,
who were striking over their collective
bargaining contract dispute with the UC
administration. A third union, University
Professional & Technical Employees/CWA
members at UC facilities, also went out on
sympathy strike.
The California Nurses Association repre-
sents more than 14,000 RNs at the five
major UC medical centers, 10 student
health centers, and the Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory.
It was a sympathy strike which the UC
administration fought every step of the way,
arguing even during the sympathy strike
that certain nurses should be forced to
report for work. CNA welcomed the decision
of a California Superior Court on the Friday
before the sympathy strike rejecting an
effort by UC administrators to prevent RNs
from exercising their right to sympathy
strike in solidarity with their coworkers.
UC nurses all stressed how they work as
a team with their AFSCME and UPTE
coworkers, and that not one of them could
do their job alone. The picket lines were
lively and full of camaraderie, music, danc-
ing, and shared food.
"We work side by side in the units and
together we deliver the highest quality of
care for our patients and our communities,"
said UCLA Medical Center RN Marcia
Santini. "We demand that UC show them
NEWS BRIEFS
14,000 UC nurses walk out on sympathy strike
