USC shuttle drivers and dispatchers — members of SEIU Local 721 — to hold one-day unfair-labor practice strike Friday; Workers to call for an end to university’s unlawful workplace practices at pickets starting at 5:30 AM — and at an 11 AM rally with students, faculty, staff, and community supporters.
Shuttle drivers’ strike to impact commencement ceremonies Friday and comes amid campus unrest and heavy criticism of USC President Carol Folt.
Los Angeles — University of Southern California (USC) shuttle drivers and dispatchers plan to walk off the job starting at 5:30 a.m. Friday in a one-day unfair labor practice (ULP) strike protesting repeated labor law violations by the university during nearly 10 months of contract negotiations. The workers, who are members of SEIU Local 721, will picket at a campus entrance at Figueroa St. and USC McCarthy Way.
At 11 AM Friday, students, faculty, fellow staff, and community supporters will join shuttle drivers and dispatchers to rally and call on President Carol Folt and USC leaders to show respect at the bargaining table and stop the university’s unlawful behavior.
The strike will take place during numerous commencement ceremonies on Friday and will impact hundreds of passengers who use the shuttle service to get around campus and multiple satellite facilities, including the Health Sciences Campus near LA County General Medical Center.
USC’s shuttle drivers and dispatchers voted to join SEIU Local 721 in March 2023, and have been bargaining with the university for a first contract since last August. The drivers say the university retaliated against them for forming a union when USC ended a two-decade practice of awarding annual merit-based pay increases to drivers and dispatchers — a unilateral change in working conditions that violates labor law. Other legal violations include bad faith delays to provide important information necessary for productive contract negotiations.
- When: Friday, May 10 at 5:30 AM — Pickets begin; 11 AM — Rally with students, faculty, fellow staff, and community supporters.
- Where: Pickets and rally at Figueroa St./ USC McCarthy Way.
- What: USC shuttle drivers and dispatchers will picket and rally with students, faculty, fellow staff, and community supporters as part of a ULP strike.
- Who: University of Southern California (USC) shuttle drivers and dispatchers who are members of SEIU Local 721 and students, faculty, USC staffers, and community supporters.
- Visuals/Sounds: Shuttle drivers, dispatchers, students, faculty, and community supporters rallying, chanting, playing music, delivering speeches, and holding signs and banners with pro-worker slogans.
The strike comes as Folt comes under fire because of the arrests of dozens of students and community members participating in pro-Palestine protests on campus.
“We’re fed up, and we’re calling on USC leaders to do better,” says Chris Harris, a USC shuttle driver. “We’re going on ULP strike because we’re done with USC’s delay tactics and lawbreaking. We demand that USC do the right thing and come to the bargaining table with respect for shuttle drivers and dispatchers who are essential to the university functioning.”
Harris added: “We love USC, and we care deeply about our work and the students, faculty, staff, and community passengers we serve. We get up every day and drive so USC can thrive. Because we believe in USC, we still have faith that the university will change its tune and come correct at the bargaining table.”
Background: Shuttle drivers and dispatchers voted to join SEIU Local 721 in March 2023, and have been bargaining with USC for a first contract since last August. The unit includes many drivers and dispatchers of color who live in the greater Los Angeles area.
SEIU Local 721 is the largest union in Southern California, representing over 100,000 workers in the region.
###
CONTACT: Tim Sandoval, 213-218-5855, tim.sandoval@seiu721.org
Download PDF