Senator tells UC to quit threatening discipline for striking workers

[Omaha Steve]

By Niesha Lofing - [e-mail]

A state senator has demanded that the University of California quit threatening striking employees with disciplinary action, saying he will respond "appropriately" to any retaliation by the university.

Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco/San Mateo, sent a letter to President Mark Yudof today expressing concern and support for the striking service workers.

As part of job actions at the 10 UC campuses as well as medical centers, about 175 people picketed in front of UC Davis Medical Center on Stockton Boulevard today.

The strike began Monday, when an estimated an estimated 375 of 470 UC Davis Medical Center service employees walked off their jobs. More than 8,500 service employees are striking statewide.

University officials previously said that the strike violated a temporary restraining order issued by a San Francisco Superior Court judge on Friday prohibiting the strike.

Yee, however, said employees gave adequate notice and are within their rights to strike over wages, working conditions and basic equity.

FULL story at link.