Judge orders University of California workers union to stop pro-Palestine strike

A judge has ordered the union representing University of California (UC) academic workers to cease its ongoing anti-Israel strike.

Superior Court Judge Randall Sherman issued an emergency restraining order, agreeing with the University of California’s argument that the strike was causing “irreparable setbacks” to students and university operations.

“We are extremely grateful for a pause in this strike, so our students can complete their academic studies,” Melissa Matella, UC’s associate vice president for systemwide labor relations, said in a statement after Friday’s ruling. “The strike would have caused irreversible setbacks to students’ academic achievements and may have stalled critical research projects in the final quarter.” 

Last week, the university alleged in a lawsuit that the strike violated a clause within its agreement with the workers’ union, United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 4811, which represents 48,000 workers at the University of California. 

“We respect the advocacy and progressive action towards issues that matter to our community and our community’s right to engage in lawful free speech activities – activities that continue to occur across the system,” Matella said. “However, UAW’s strike is unrelated to employment terms, violates the parties’ agreements, and runs contrary to established labor principles.” 

The strike began at UC Santa Cruz on May 20, before spreading to other campuses including UCLA, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine, according to Fox News.  

The unionized workers allegedly began the strike in solidarity with UC students who were arrested or disciplined for participating in pro-Palestine protests and encampments on campuses. 

UAW Local 4811 is demanding the UC schools give amnesty to all employees and students who were arrested or received disciplinary actions for their involvement in pro-Palestine protests, according to The Guardian.  

The UC system says the union’s demands are outside the scope of union labor issues, according to CBS News.  

Despite Sherman’s order, the union remains defiant. 

“Despite UC’s latest attempt to avoid accountability, let’s be clear: this struggle is far from over,” the union posted on X, following the ruling. “Having twice failed to secure an injunction from the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), the university today succeeded in their search for a more favorable outcome.”  

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 27. The union has approved a walkout through June 30.