Monica Martinez, a member of the AFSCME Local 3299 bargaining team, said one of the union’s demands is more affordable housing for UC workers. Martinez criticized the UC’s investments in Blackstone, a private equity firm, saying it contributes to the spike in local rent prices.

UCLA medical students showed their support for the AFSCME Local 3299 strike outside the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, holding up signs saying “Medical & public health students stand with AFSCME workers against hospital greed” and “Labor justice is health justice.”
(Izzy Greig/Daily Bruin)

Nile, a member of the California Nurses Association who did not share his last name, said many nurses support the AFSCME Local 3299 patient care workers.

Betty Yee, who was the California state controller from 2015 to 2023, gave a speech in solidarity with the AFSCME Local 3299 union outside the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

As of 2:30 p.m., picketers by the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center are signing out and leaving the scene.

Herbert Castro, an access representative in the patient access department of the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and the members action team leader at the AFSCME Local 3299 union, said staff shortages due to low wages have significantly impacted the quality of patient care at the hospital.

Aryk Mathias, a third-year theater student who participated in picketing, said they believe students should stand in solidarity with the AFSCME Local 3299 union despite temporary work stoppages.

Six tents have been set up in Bruin Plaza by AFSCME Local 3299 organizers. Around 9:30 a.m., volunteers passed out water bottles, coffee and snacks to picketers.

The AFSCME Local 3299 union protesters are now marching back to Bruin Plaza. Students heading to class have been walking around the crowd on Bruin Walk.

Eba Aeuilera, a housekeeping staff member who has been with UCLA for 17 years, said the UC’s proposed wage increase is not sufficient given that she has to commute two and a half hours to work everyday.