UAW Strike Expands To UCLA, UC Davis Campus

Here are the morning’s top stories on Tuesday, May 28, 2024:

• On Tuesday at UCLA and UC Davis, unionized student academic workers are going on strike. The workers, members of United Auto Workers Local 4811, are protesting the UC system’s crackdowns on pro-Palestinian demonstrations. They’re also opposed to the arrest and disciplinary actions taken against some students. The university system has argued the strikes are illegal.
• Academic workers at UC Santa Cruz are starting the second week of their strike. Workers say morale is high as they await word on whether negotiations will start back up between UAW 4811 and UC officials. 
• As California faces a budget deficit in the tens of billions of dollars, Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a number of painful spending cuts and program reductions. But advocates are calling on California lawmakers to save some programs, like one that provides In-Home Supportive Services for undocumented immigrants.
• Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton has died at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Walton won two NCAA championships while at UCLA before an NBA career that included winning league MVP in the 1977-78 season and championships in both Portland and Boston.

Academic Workers Begin Strike At UCLA, UC Davis

Graduate student workers at both UCLA and UC Davis are walking off the job on Tuesday over the university system’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campuses.

The union representing 48,000 academic workers, United Auto Workers 4811, called the strike a little more than a week ago. The union says the strike is in response to what it calls “egregious unfair labor practices” on campuses. The main complaint is the violence by law enforcement in handling protests and encampments, particularly at UCLA, UC Irvine and UC San Diego.

The UC system has argued the strikes are illegal and outside the scope of union-labor issues. But efforts to get an injunction were denied by the state’s Public Relations Employment Board.

Strike Continues On UC Santa Cruz Campus 

Academic workers at UC Santa Cruz are in the second week of their strike. Members of UAW 4811 on that campus were the first to walk out last week.

Picketing is taking place near one of the main entrances to campus, and UAW members have been joined by an encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters. 

Advocates Push Back Against Budget Cuts For Immigrant Health Program

California is facing a massive budget deficit and will likely have to decide on painful cuts to several different departments.

Advocates are calling on lawmakers to save one program aimed at helping undocumented immigrants. In-Home Supportive Services helps eligible low-income blind, disabled and senior Californians take medications and care for themselves at home.

Basketball Legend Bill Walton Passes Away

 NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton died Monday at the age of 71 after a prolonged fight with cancer.

Born in La Mesa in San Diego County, Walton was the NBA’s MVP in the 1977-78 season. He won championships with both the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics. That followed a legendary college career in which he blossomed while playing under coach John Wooden at UCLA, becoming a three-time national player of the year.