Article:
In a significant development, more academic workers from the University of California (UC) system have joined an ongoing strike, as announced by the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 4811 chapter on Thursday. Members at UCLA and UC Davis are set to join the walkout on Tuesday, according to a social media post. The initial vote in mid-May by the union paved the way for this strike, which is unique in its political nature, focusing on the UC system's handling of pro-Palestinian encampments during the Israel-Hamas war rather than better benefits and wages.

On May 21, the UC system took legal action by filing an injunction in an attempt to bring an end to the strike. The school system argued that the strike was unlawful, stating that it aimed to pressure the University into conceding to a list of politically motivated demands associated with the ongoing protests across California and the nation. However, the injunction was not granted.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, the UC system emphasized that the UAW had previously agreed to a "no strikes" provision in their latest agreement. Responding to the strike, the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), responsible for mediating in such circumstances, filed a complaint against the ongoing strike at UC Santa Cruz. The complaint alleged that the UAW did not provide sufficient notice to the UC and failed to engage in good faith negotiations.

In a statement, the UC expressed pleasure at PERB's complaint against the UAW, underscoring that the strike contradicted the "no-strike" clauses in their collective bargaining agreements and occurred without adequate notice. The UC system hopes for a swift and fair resolution to the matter. A meeting between the involved parties is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m., wherein an informal discussion will take place. If no settlement is reached, PERB has indicated the possibility of issuing a formal hearing.

As this strike expands to include more academic workers from UCLA and UC Davis, it highlights the growing unrest within the UC system regarding the handling of pro-Palestinian encampments during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The strike represents a novel form of protest, bringing political issues to the forefront rather than solely focusing on improved benefits and wages for academic workers. The outcome of the ongoing dispute remains uncertain, with both sides hoping for a resolution that addresses their concerns.