Why is UCLA striking in 2025?

UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) workers, represented by unions like AFSCME 3299 and UPTE-CWA, struck in 2025 primarily over low wages and the high cost of living, with demands for livable salaries, affordable healthcare, and better housing benefits, protesting the UC system's failure to provide adequate pay for essential workers facing affordability crises. They argued that current wages don't cover rent and groceries, leading to staff shortages, while the university spends heavily on administration and facilities, demanding fair contracts after over a year without one.

Why are UCLA workers striking?

Nearly 40,000 workers for the University of California system went on a two-day strike this week to protest the system's failure to settle contracts addressing the cost of living and affordability crises facing its most economically vulnerable workers.

Why is UCLA on a hiring freeze?

UCLA consolidates IT, pauses faculty hiring as Trump administration seeks $1B payment. The public institution is one of several facing cuts to federal research funding over allegations related to antisemitism.

Is the UC strike over?

UC and Nurses Reach Tentative Contract Deal: Strike Canceled

The University of California (UC) and the California Nurses Association (CNA) have reached a tentative four-year agreement that delivers meaningful pay and benefit increases for more than 24,000 UC nurses across the university's medical centers and campuses.

Why is upte striking?

UPTE, CNA, and AFSCME's announcement of a coordinated two-day systemwide strike is an attempt to pressure the University into accepting unreasonable wage and benefit demands that would put UC in a financially precarious position and jeopardize its mission of teaching, research and public service.

Patient care, service workers on strike at UC hospitals across California

What is the reason behind the strike?

A "strike" can refer to a labor action by workers demanding better conditions (pay, hours, safety) or a medical event (stroke) caused by blocked (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic) blood vessels cutting off oxygen to the brain, often due to high blood pressure, clots, or weakened vessels. Both involve interruption, but one is a collective choice for workplace change, while the other is a sudden health crisis.
 

Can you lose your job if your union goes on strike?

Most strikes are protected, but certain kinds of strikes are not protected, depending on the object or purpose of the strike, on its timing, or on the conduct of the strikers. You can be lawfully fired for participating in an unprotected strike. When a protected strike ends, you are entitled to return to work.

What are the UCLA strikers' demands?

UAW members and students both are united in their demand that their universities divest from Israel and stop funding the genocide in Palestine and that campuses respect their right to free speech and will keep fighting until they've won.

Why are people leaving Kaiser?

Kaiser Permanente employees in California, Hawaii and Oregon walked out in protest over what they say are staffing shortages, as well as over pay and benefits. The company said it had been negotiating in good faith with the union since May and offered to increase wages by more than 20% over four years.

What happens if you don't picket during a strike?

During a strike or lockout, picketing is not mandatory. However, workers who choose not to picket cannot return to work and will not receive any compensation from the union or the employer.

Is UCLA in danger today?

There is no current emergency on the UCLA Westwood campus; this is only a test. The audible tests will occur periodically as Digital & Technology Solutions (DTS) tests the system.

Is UCLA struggling financially?

We are at a consequential moment — not just for UCLA, but for higher education across the country. Like many of our peers, we are navigating structural budget deficits, federal and state funding uncertainties, and rising costs that challenge how we sustain our academic mission.

Will UC employees get a raise in 2025?

As part of this effort, UC health care employees will see their minimum wage rise to $24/hour on July 1, 2025, and then to $25/hour on July 1, 2026. Additionally, UC's recent offers to AFSCME and UPTE include bringing all UC team members in these units up to $25 an hour by July 1, 2025.

What was the UCLA protest about?

Nearly a year after a mob attacked UCLA students and faculty who formed an encampment protesting Israel's war in Gaza, participants in that encampment are suing senior officials from the University of California and UCLA, alleging that the system violated their civil rights and rights to free expression by summoning ...

What happens if you refuse to strike?

Many courts have held that unions have the power to discipline their members. This discipline can include imposing a significant fine upon and then suing you to enforce the payment of the fine. If you wish to avoid consequences like that, you cannot remain a member of the union and cross the picket line.

Is getting into UCLA impressive?

With an acceptance rate of only 9%, UCLA is a highly selective “reach” school for many students.

Why don't people like Kaiser?

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons Kaiser has a bad reputation is due to their policy of forcing their patients with medical malpractice claims into arbitration. In 1978 the HMO implemented a provision in all group policies requiring these types of cases to be settled with a private arbitration system.

Who are the most overpaid doctors?

The highest-paid doctors in the U.S. are neurosurgeons, thoracic surgeons, and orthopedic surgeons. These surgical specialists earn average annual salaries between $650,000 and $760,000, making them the top earners among physicians.

Who usually goes first in layoffs?

When layoffs occur, who goes first depends on company strategy, but often includes newer employees ("last in, first out"), high-cost senior staff, underperformers, or roles less critical to future goals, with factors like skills (especially AI), department (non-revenue generating), and legal compliance guiding decisions. While seniority (LIFO) is common and defensible, many companies use a mix of performance, skills, salary, and future business needs to decide, sometimes cutting managers or roles slated for outsourcing. 

Why are people protesting against Elon Musk?

People are protesting Elon Musk primarily due to his influential, unelected role in the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), leading to cuts in public services and workforce, alongside concerns over his rightward political shift, promotion of misinformation, handling of free speech on X (formerly Twitter), and alleged discrimination at Tesla, aiming to pressure him and harm Tesla's brand and stock. 

Are the teachers going on strike in 2025?

October 3, 2025

Teachers have chosen to begin strike action on Monday, October 6th. As a result, schools will be closed until further notice. TEBA is committed to continuing negotiations throughout the strike to ensure students can return to the classroom as soon as possible.

Why is the rose bowl suing UCLA?

The Rose Bowl Operating Company and the City of Pasadena are suing UCLA to stop them from breaking their long-term lease and moving their home football games to SoFi Stadium, claiming it's a breach of contract and would cause severe financial harm, potentially billions in losses, to the historic stadium and city that have invested heavily in the venue. The lawsuit argues UCLA is locked into the Rose Bowl until 2044 through a lease tied to stadium improvements, and the university's desire for a new deal with SoFi jeopardizes traditions and the Rose Bowl's financial stability.
 

What jobs cannot go on strike?

Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics are prohibited from striking in most jurisdictions in the U.S. Many states also place restrictions on strikes by public school teachers and other government employees.

How to survive financially during a strike?

Seek out other income — if you can

Chavis suggests considering a side hustle, odd jobs or even a temporary position if the strike is prolonged. Before you go ahead and find a new gig, make sure it's not against your contract or the strike's rules.

Why are people who work during a strike called scabs?

Back then, scabbed or diseased skin was widely seen as the sign of a corrupt or immoral character. So, English writers started using “scab” as slang for a scoundrel. In the 19th century, American workers started using the word to attack peers who refused to join a union or worked when others were striking.