UC Davis Health Employees Continue Unfair Labor Practice Strike

May 1 marked International Workers' Day, with UC Davis Health employees joining thousands of other workers across the UC system in a strike against the university. The labor action was sparked by an understaffed work environment, resulting from a university-imposed hiring freeze. Employees cite concerns about patient care, research, and education being compromised due to the freeze, which they argue would further undermine these critical areas. Sonya Mogilner, a licensed social worker, shared her experience of working in an environment where social work teams have been under-staffed for years, leading to burnout and reduced quality of patient care.

Key Takeaways:

• The strike was a response to the university's imposition of a systemwide hiring freeze, which workers believe would further compromise patient care, research, and education.
• Sonya Mogilner, a licensed social worker, has seen firsthand the effects of understaffing, having to cover for colleagues and manage caseloads of up to 120 patients due to short-staffing.
• Understaffing has led to burnout among remaining staff and compromised patient care, with Mogilner stating that patients are not receiving adequate levels of care before being discharged, resulting in more re-admissions.
• Amy Fletcher, UPTE's treasurer and UC Davis researcher, argues that the university's focus on building projects and executive compensation highlights the low priority given to addressing short-staffing.
• The proposed settlement involves meaningful staffing increases and a halt to unfair labor practices, which Mogilner and Fletcher see as necessary for resolving the strike.

Statistics:

• 20,000 workers are represented by the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) across the UC system.
• The proposed settlement would address the staffing crisis, which has led to burnout among employees, with caseloads increasing by 300% (up to 120 patients).
• The hiring freeze has compromised patient care, research, and education, posing a significant threat to the university's mission.

Sources:

• The Aggie (University of California, Davis student newspaper)
• UPTE website (University Professional and Technical Employees)