Approximately 80 people, comprised of University of California employees and union officials, demonstrated Tuesday near UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and the UC Davis main campus in Yolo County, reports The Sacramento Bee.
The workers, represented by Teamsters Local 2010, include administrative assistants, preschool teachers, police dispatchers, collections employees and library assistants, according to the article.
The report states that the workers want fairer negotiations on a new contract and higher pay.
"We are struggling a lot more now than we have in the past," Angel Mesa told The Sacramento Bee as she protested near UC Davis Medical Center. "Healthcare and retirement and parking are going up, but the paycheck doesn't go up."
Tuesday's demonstrations were part of a systemwide work stoppage for the University of California.
According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, the union contends workers' wages have not kept up with inflation, citing a 2016 study from Occidental College in Los Angeles. The study was conducted in conjunction with Teamsters Local 2010 and indicates "more than two-thirds of UC's clerical, administrative and support workers struggle to put adequate food on the table."
However, the university, which is still bargaining with the Teamsters, said it is offering clerical employees "guaranteed, market-competitive wage increases, good benefits and stability."
"UC's offer carries an average pay raise of 18 percent over the next six years as well as excellent healthcare benefits and retirement options, including a traditional pension plan that very few other employers offer," the university added in a statement.
The university also said clerical employees earn an annual average salary of $47,300 — more than the state average of roughly $39,200 for clerical workers.
Additionally, the university contends a strike is counterproductive to negotiations and urges the union "to finalize a new contract without further delay."
The university said there has been no disruption to care due to the strike, and all clinics and hospitals are open. Officials also noted that 80 percent of the university's clerical employees in Teamsters Local 2010 showed up to work despite the strike.
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