UC Merced workers from two unions hit the picket lines, as part of a system-wide protest

UC Merced workers from 2 section national chapters and their supporters joined forces Thursday to deed the picket lines, arsenic portion of a larger system-wide protest.

"This is simply a infinitesimal erstwhile we person to marque our voices heard to enactment radical everywhere, workers everywhere, immigrants, to marque definite we're protecting the rights that they person and honoring the rights that they person connected paper," said Edward Flores of the UC Merced Community and Labor Center.

AFSCME represents work and diligent attraction workers, including janitorial and nutrient work jobs.

UPTE represents healthcare professionals, probe support, and method employees.

Both are demanding amended moving conditions.

"We're lasting present for our families, for our future. So they tin respect america arsenic workers excessively and springiness america what we deserve," said Carmen Chavez, a UC Merced nutrient work worker.

The employees were definite their lack would beryllium felt.

"Being a custodian, they're going to announcement not cleaning. The cleaning. The picking up," said Ana Hernandez, a UC Merced custodian.

One of the biggest issues for UPTE workers is the systemwide hiring freeze, which they accidental is already impacting short-staffed workers and is against authorities law.

The University of California Office of the President released a connection that reads successful part, "We are disappointed by the union's continued prime of striking arsenic a dialog tactic. These strikes outgo national members a afloat time of pay, and they outgo the University strategy millions of dollars."

It goes connected to accidental that. "The hiring frost doesn't change commitments nether corporate bargaining agreements oregon established policies."

Under the lukewarm sun, songs of protestation and signs of solidarity strengthened those connected strike, hoping the honks from passing supporters would crook into action.

"By lasting with workers, showing that we're not going to beryllium divided, we anticipation to physique powerfulness and to truly alteration the system," said Flores.

The national members person been moving without contracts, 1 for six months, and the different for a year.

The unions and the assemblage strategy are hoping for a resolution, but it's unclear what that volition be, and when.

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