UCSF Health to Remain Open for Patient Care During Strike
Labor action is expected to have limited patient impact, may cause delays for UCSF shuttles and other services.
UC San Francisco has received notice from two labor unions that they plan to hold a two-day strike on the UCSF campus on Nov. 20 and 21.
The labor action will involve members of the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) unions. UPTE intends to strike only at UCSF while AFSCME will strike at UC campuses across the state.
UCSF Health intends to continue regular operations, including emergency care, and expects to be able to maintain the majority of scheduled appointments and surgeries. The health system is working to minimize impacts on patients, with plans in place to bring in qualified replacement staff. Despite these efforts, some procedures may need to be rescheduled. Patients whose appointments are affected will be contacted and the health system will prioritize rescheduling their care.
Planning is also underway to address potential impacts on dental clinics, UCSF’s research and education missions, and facilities and transportation operations.
In messages to the UCSF community sent on Nov. 7 and 8, UCSF and UCSF Health leadership said their top priority is the health, safety, and security of the UCSF community, including patients, visitors, learners, faculty, and staff.
“We know our patients depend on us for critical health care services, often planning weeks in advance for their care,” said UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS, and UCSF Health Chief Executive Officer Suresh Gunasekaran, in a joint letter to the community. “We have contingency plans in place and are working closely with clinical and operations teams to minimize the impact of the strike on our patients and workforce.”
Employees represented by these unions perform roles across the UCSF campus and UCSF Health hospitals and clinics, including UCSF Dentistry, UCSF Health community hospitals, UCSF employees working at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG), and UCSF employees at UCSF Fresno.
Together, these unions represent approximately 9,600 employees at UCSF, UCSF Health and affiliated sites. It is not known how many will choose to participate in the strike.
“We respect our employees’ rights to representation and freedom of speech,” Hawgood and Gunasekaran said in the letter. “We also respect our employees who choose to come to work and support their patients and teammates during this time. Our PRIDE values are the cornerstone of the UCSF community. We see them in action daily and trust that will be no different during the strike.”
UPTE represents approximately 4,000 employees at UCSF, UCSF Health, and affiliated sites. These employees are pharmacists, social workers, case managers, optometrists, staff research associates, clinical research coordinators, and technical support employees. Approximately 2,000 of these employees are health care workers.
AFSCME represents approximately 5,700 employees at UCSF, UCSF Health, and affiliated sites. These employees are phlebotomists, infusionists, O.R. specialists, respiratory therapists, patient care assistants, pharmacy technicians, lab technicians, custodians, shuttle drivers, and food service workers.
The UC Office of the President, which conducts negotiations with the unions on behalf of the entire UC system, continues to work toward a resolution. For more information on these systemwide labor negotiations, including statements in response to union actions, visit the UC web page on active negotiations.