UC Children’s Hospital Workers Strike: NUHW Calls Security on WSWS Reporters Amid Growing Tensions

On June 18, 2025, around 1,300 healthcare workers launched an indefinite strike at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco. They opposed the University of California’s plan to change their job status, which would strip away benefits and rights. Workers included nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, housekeepers, and clerical staff. They halted non-emergency services across five hospital locations.

The strike was sparked by the university’s controversial “Integration Plan,” which threatens to fire all unionized workers and rehire them as non-union employees. While the university claimed to preserve current pay levels, rising healthcare costs and benefit reductions could reduce take-home pay by up to $10,000. Many workers would also lose their union protections, being relegated to “at-will” status.

This situation reflects a larger trend of worker unrest across the country. Just days before, large demonstrations against the Trump administration highlighted growing frustrations among the working class. Many workers expressed solidarity with the concept of a general strike to resist policies that threaten their livelihoods.

In the first days of the UCSF strike, observers noted strong support among workers for united actions. Healthcare workers were particularly vocal against potential cuts to healthcare programs, seeing the threat as a direct attack on their livelihoods. The enthusiasm was palpable among those picketing in solidarity, emphasizing the need for collective action.

Interestingly, the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), which represents the striking workers, has faced criticism for not providing strike pay during prolonged strikes. In 2024, despite receiving nearly $17 million in income, the union allocated zero dollars for strike benefits, even as other workers fought for nearly 200 days.

The response from union leaders to outside observers, such as those from World Socialist Web Site (WSWS), raised concerns. Instead of encouraging dialogue, the union took steps to remove WSWS reporters from the picket line, indicating a tension between leadership and rank-and-file workers who are eager for a more aggressive stance in bargaining.

This strike is emblematic of the increasing friction between worker rights and management strategies, which often seem to align with political motives more than with the needs of workers.

The situation at UCSF reflects a broader theme in American labor history. In the past, significant strikes often led to major reforms and labor rights improvements. Today, healthcare workers face similar challenges that could shape the future of labor relations in the U.S.

As public awareness grows, many Americans are rallying to support essential workers, recognizing that healthcare and workers’ rights are interconnected. The call for a general strike arises from this realization—workers banding together across sectors can lead to meaningful change.

For more context on worker rights and labor movements, check out the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for up-to-date statistics on employment trends and labor strikes.

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University of California at San Francisco, UCSF, Benioff Children’s Hospital, Dr. Rupa Marya, strike