UC academic staff strike officially ends, but both sides will continue to insist on their demands

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What is the background? UC employees began a series of “walkouts” at UC Santa Cruz in late May in response to the crackdown on faculty and students protesting Israel’s war effort in Gaza. The strike gradually expanded to six campuses, and employees at other universities said they were willing to join.

Why it is important: The union’s demands included amnesty for students and teachers arrested during the camp clearance and divestment from companies profiting from the war in Gaza. The union claimed these demands were related to labor practices and therefore entitled to strike, while the university system argued the strike was a breach of contract.

What’s next? Neither the court nor the state’s Public Employment Relations Board have made a decision on who is right.

“While we are relieved that this strike is over, we want to continue to provide clarity that our no-strike clauses are enforceable,” said Missy Matella, assistant vice president of systemwide employee and labor relations.

A representative of the union did not respond to LAist’s request for comment.