University of California patient care and service staff announced the results of a statewide strike vote that took place between May 17th and May 22nd. Results were tabulated at midnight on May 22nd, and an overwhelming majority of voters (96.9% of Patient Care staff and 97.5% of Service staff) voted to authorize the strike. The workers gave UC Executives notice that a strike could begin as soon as June 4th for the 20,000 workers at the University's five hospital/ten campus system. However, the workers, who have been negotiating in good faith since August, still hold hope that a strike can be averted.

"I'm striking for my family. It's a shame that I work at a world-renowned University but they aren't paying me enough to support my family, said Rosario Cortes, Senior Custodian at UCSC, "UC has a responsibility to our communities to provide good jobs, starting by agreeing to a minimum wage that would lift many of us out of poverty."

Audio and Photos from UCSC | How UC’s Low Wages Affect Surrounding Communities | AFSCME on Strike: Support Service and Patient Care Workers! | Know your enemy: About the UC executives | A Message for TAs, RAs, and Other Grads: Support UC Service Workers! | Estamos Aquí: Workers Strike Back at UCSC (April 14, 2005)