Photos: Strike by 48,000 University of California academic workers causes systemwide disruptions

Christina House
LOS ANGELES-CA - NOVEMBER 14, 2022: Demonstrators picket at UCLA as nearly 48,000 University of California academic workers strike on Monday, November 14, 2022, in a labor action that could shut down some classes and lab work just weeks before final exams. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Demonstrators picket at UCLA as nearly 48,000 University of California academic workers strike Nov. 14 in a labor action that could shut down some classes and lab work just weeks before final exams. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

About 48,000 unionized academic workers across the University of California’s 10 campuses — who perform the majority of teaching and research at the state’s premier higher education system — walked off the job Monday morning, calling for better pay and benefits.

Demonstrators picket at UCLA near a window with dots and the UCLA logo on it.
Demonstrators picket at UCLA as nearly 48,000 University of California academic workers strike in a labor action that could shut down some classes and lab work just weeks before final exams. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
A man in a neon-colored safety vest talks into a megaphone as fellow demonstrators hold signs nearby.
Alex Chubick, a student researcher in the human genetics department, leads fellow demonstrators in a chant at UCLA. Chubick is getting ready to graduate but says it's important to be here Nov. 14 to fight for new students coming in. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Picketers in red shirts hold signs outdoors.
Union leaders say the strike will be the largest at any academic institution in history. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Shadows of demonstrators are seen on pavement while they picket at UCLA.
It wasn't immediately clear how many classes, labs or scheduled academic activities were interrupted Monday, but students at UCLA reported some classes canceled. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Demonstrators are seen reflected in a window as they picket with signs at UCLA.
In addition to pay increases, workers are seeking child-care subsidies, enhanced healthcare benefits for dependents, public transit passes, lower tuition costs for international scholars and better accessibility for workers with disabilities. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Demonstrators sit in while picketing at UC San Diego.
International students, the strikers said, have to pay non-residential tuition fees, which puts them on a "treadmill" to complete their degrees in five years, because the university won't cover their fees beyond five years. (Adriana Heldiz / San Diego Union-Tribune)
Demonstrators picket at UCLA during a University of California academic workers strike.
A group of 33 state lawmakers sent a letter in support of the graduate student workers urging UC President Michael Drake to bargain in good faith. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
UC San Diego academic workers are seen reflected in a window while they strike.
UC has offered a salary scale increase of 7% in the first year and 3% in each subsequent year, but workers have said that's not sufficient. (Adriana Heldiz / San Diego Union-Tribune)
UC San Diego academic workers strike in front of Geisel Library on the campus in San Diego.
UC San Diego academic workers strike in front of Geisel Library on the campus in San Diego. (Adriana Heldiz / San Diego Union-Tribune)

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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