Hundreds Strike UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, East Bay Clinics Closed

Hundreds of healthcare workers at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland have gone on strike in response to UCSF's plan to transition employees to UC employment, which involves canceling existing union contracts and potentially reducing take-home pay by about $10,000. The workers, represented primarily by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, claim this transition would force them to be rehired, lose seniority, and accept lower pay, which they view as union busting amid an already understaffed environment. UCSF counters that the claims of firing and rehiring are false, explaining that employees will be mapped to equivalent positions and that while some may see reduced take-home pay due to new contributions toward health insurance and retirement, they will gain access to more comprehensive benefits and pensions. The strike, expected to last about five days, has led to the closure of some clinics in Walnut Creek, San Ramon, and Brentwood, with cancellations of elective surgeries and nonurgent appointments. Hospital officials express disappointment over the disruptions but confirm that critical care services remain operational. Union leaders have also filed grievances alleging contract violations, but arbitration has not been arranged, prolonging the dispute.