September 27th marked the first day of Fall quarter at the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC). The Baytree Bookstore was packed with students purchasing books while the Baytree Plaza was filled with fraternities and sororities attempting to lure in the incoming freshman. At 3pm, women and men who are service workers at UCSC organized with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299 initiated an informational picket for a fair labor contract. Workers, some with their families, were joined by student allies for a powerful rally sending a strong message to UC administration that AFSCME, the Student Worker Coalition for Justice and graduate students organized with UAW Local 2865 are united in demanding that UC prioritize workers, students and their families.

AFSCME 3299 held actions throughout the UC system on this day to kick off their campaign for a just settlement in their next contract for service and patient-care workers. AFSCME 3299 represents 20,000 Patient Care and Services workers across the state. They are frontline patient care providers and technicians, custodians, food service workers, bus drivers, groundskeepers and security officers. Read More and View Photos