Strike Information

Make Your Meetings More Active

  • Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
  • Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
  • Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
  • Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
  • Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
  • Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

  • At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
  • Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

  • Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
  • Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
  • Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes. 

Breathing Exercise

  • Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETINGSTANDING BREAKSTRETCH BREAKSBREATHING BREAKSMOVEMENT BREAKSWALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 minx x  
2 - 4 hoursxxxx 
All Dayxxxxx

The information provided below is designed to assist you in answering general questions about strikes that are often asked by employees.

When a specific strike is scheduled, this page will have a featured link prominently posted at the top leading to information about the event. For information at any time, please call Employee & Labor Relations in Davis at 530-754-8892 or in Sacramento at 916-734-3362.

University's Position on Collective Bargaining

The University believes that it is important that all members of the UC community to understand what the key issues are during a contract negotiation. The University is committed to good faith negotiations, fair contracts, compliance with the collective bargaining process, and strives to recognize and reward employees.

Responding to Questions about a Strike

As a manager or supervisor, you can provide employees with the information that has been prepared by the Employee and Labor Relations Office. Frequently, during the negotiations process, Employee and Labor Relations will provide communications campus-wide from the Office of the President. The University believes in transparent communication and provides updates as often as possible, however, the collective bargaining process is relatively long, sometimes with little movement.

If you are asked a question that you cannot answer, please refer the employee to the Employee and Labor Relations office at UC Davis and UC Davis Health. 

Right to Work

Non-striking employees should be informed of laws that protect the right of all employees to cross a picket line to come to work. 

Holding Classes

Classes will be held as usual. Instructors cannot delay, change or revise their assigned responsibilities in order to participate in demonstrations or strikes. This will be consistently and fairly enforced across all schools and universities.

Crossing Picket Lines

Informational picketing is lawful as long as it is peaceful, does not interfere with the normal course of business, and does not prevent other employees from coming to work. Non-participating employees should avoid confrontations. This includes not responding to comments or engaging in any exchanges which may inflame the situation.

New Requests for Vacation or Compensatory Time Off

If you are concerned or unaware of coverage within your department, it is acceptable to place new requests on hold.

Already-scheduled Vacation and Compensatory Time Off

In general, it is better to allow already scheduled time off to occur as originally agreed. However, if your operational needs will be seriously disrupted, you may discuss the possibility of rescheduling this time off with the employee. The request to cancel or reschedule vacation time should be expressed evenly throughout your department. 

Sick Leave

During a strike, sick leave will not be paid unless the employee provides a doctor's note. Prior to a strike, Employee and Labor Relations will provide information on communicating this to your employees. 

Inquiries

All media inquiries should be directed to the Campus News Service, 530-752-1930.

Questions?

For information about collective bargaining, contact Employee and Labor Relations in Davis at 530-754-8892 or in Sacramento at 916-734-3362.