Two more arrests as UC teaching assistants’ strike spreads
Two picketers were arrested at UC Santa Cruz Thursday as a strike by unionized teaching assistants and tutors widened to all nine UC undergraduate campuses.
The walkout began at the Santa Cruz and Berkeley campuses on Wednesday and expanded Thursday across the UC system for what organizers said will be a final day. Rallies were held and picketers marched at campuses around the state, reportedly attracting several hundred at some schools. University officials said that most classes continued as normal, although some lectures and discussion sections were canceled or rescheduled.
At Santa Cruz, the two auto entrances to campus were closed at various times Thursday because of the demonstrations. Two people were arrested at the west entrance of the campus, according to university spokesman Jim Burns. One person was cited for battery against a police officer and the other for obstructing an officer. On Wednesday, 20 picketers were arrested at that campus.
The United Auto Workers Local 2865, which represents about 13,000 teaching assistants, tutors and readers, called the strike to protest what it called unfair labor practices and intimidation by UC administrators. The union and UC have been negotiating a new contract since the summer.
Twitter: @larrygordonlat
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