By Macy Meinhardt, V&V Staff Writer, CA Local News Fellow
Hundreds marched across San Diego for International Workers’ Day, rallying against unfair labor practices at statewide institutions and Trump’s attack on working families.
“Until UC San Diego Health stops choosing care over cash, we will be out here every time,” said Lea Bishop, a speech pathologist at UCSD and a bargaining team member for UPTE Local 9199.
Picket signs, cowbells, drums, and rally cries filled the lawn of UC San Diego Health Hillcrest campus as over two hundred healthcare workers and union members showed up to demand better wages and working conditions within the UC system, one of the state’s largest employers.
Other unions in attendance included: AFSCME 3299, SEIU Local 221, San Diego & Imperial County Labor Council, SDEA, UFCW135, UDW, and IATSE Local 122.
They’re part of over 1,000 planned rallies across the nation in honor of May Day, organized by grassroots group 50501—the same force behind this year’s ‘No Kings’ and ‘Not On Our Watch’, and ‘Hands Off’ protests.
“When we fight, we win,” ~Alisa Tiller, AFSCME 3299 member
Since 1886, May 1—known as May Day or International Workers’ Day—has symbolized the fight for labor rights, especially for Black and minority workers whose struggles for fair wages, dignity, and protection have long been tied to the fight against systemic racism and economic injustice.
Alisa Tiller, has been an employee at UC San Diego Health for over 22 years.
“Fair is fair, and I feel like we are not being treated fairly,” Tiller said, who works as a patient ambassador for Moores Cancer Center.
Paloma Aguirre, who is currently in a runoff race for District 1 Supervisor, also showed up with workers.
“It is not okay that we’re struggling to pay for eggs, gas, and that we can’t keep a roof over our head, because our wages are not meeting the cost of living of our county,” said Aguirre, who currently serves as the Democratic Mayor of Imperial Beach.
The political race that Aguirre is running for is crucial. The board right now is split evenly between two Democrats and two Republicans. Aguirre’s opponent, Republican John McCann, is the mayor of Chula Vista. The outcome will determine whether the board, responsible for key issues like immigration and healthcare, leans Democratic or Republican.
“You have an ally in me that’s going to fight, not just here locally, but at the very top level from what’s coming out of the White House, because it’s not okay to gut the Department of Education. It’s not okay to cut back on Medicaid and Medicare, and it’s not okay to be deporting our brothers and sisters,” said Aguirre.
Unions warned of escalation if demands aren’t met, with bargaining sessions set for May 8 and 9. A new University of California president is also expected to be announced soon.