Optometrists at the University of California campuses launched a two-day strike on Tuesday, citing labor law violations amid negotiations for improved salaries and benefits. As optometrists picket outside UC medical centers in major cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Davis, patients might be forced to reschedule hundreds of appointments set for this week.
The strike follows a year of unfruitful negotiations between the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) union and the UC administration. The union asserts that the UC has engaged in bad-faith bargaining tactics and failed to provide essential data for fair negotiations. According to UPTE, the work stoppage responds to a wide range of issues, such as below-market pay and delays in care due to staffing shortages.
Dr. Nicole Mercho, an optometrist at UCSF's Glaucoma Clinic, voiced her frustration to KQED, saying, "We love our patients. But it just feels like this strike is the only option that we have left. It’s very frustrating that UC has not really bargained in good faith. They’re kind of dragging their feet. They are not taking it seriously." Echoing her sentiment, Lara Hustana, an Optometrist 3 at UC San Diego, conveyed the grim situation at her clinic and highlighted the swelling patient loads and inadequate support staff.
Despite UC's vast financial resources, with investment assets totaling $152.3 billion and $28 billion in cash reserves, the system still claims financial constraints when compensating its cadre of optometrists properly. Dr. Hai Tong, an Optometrist 3 at UC Davis, criticized the university's negotiating approach. "UC's bad-faith tactics are designed to prevent agreement rather than facilitate one, and they are unfair labor practices prohibited by law. Such actions by UC prolong the negotiation process and further exacerbate the existing issues—namely recruiting and retaining optometrists to provide world-class patient care. Our patients deserve better, and so do we," Tong told UPTE.
In response to the growing pressure, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a resolution supporting the UPTE-CWA Local 9119 optometrists. Support has also come from California State Assemblymember Liz Ortega, who expressed solidarity with their cause.
