UCSF Health to Maintain Critical Services during One-Day Strike
Labor action is expected to have limited impact on patient care, may cause delays for UCSF shuttles and other services.
UC San Francisco has received strike notices from two labor unions: the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The one-day strike is planned for April 1.
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.
Employees represented by these unions perform roles at UCSF, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG), UCSF Fresno, and UCSF Health’s hospitals and clinics.
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 hope that UC and the unions will reach a fair and equitable agreement soon so that we can turn our collective efforts to advancing our mission and navigating the uncertain financial challenges arising from the rapidly shifting federal policy landscape,” said UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS, and UCSF Health Chief Executive Officer Suresh Gunasekaran, in a joint letter to the community on March 24.
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.
UPTE and AFSCME will strike at UC campuses across the state. 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.