As protests outside University of California hospitals continued into its second day , service workers in green on picket lines were joined by a range of nurses and lab workers . The protests have been born out of stagnating contract negotiations between health care , research , service and technical staff and the University of California that have taken place over the last year . Many are aware of Janus versus AFSCME Council 31, a federal lawsuit now before the U.S. Supreme Court that attempts to undo requirements in 21 states that require all public employees in unionized professions to pay union dues even if they’re not part of the bargaining unit. The American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees ( AFSCME ) protesting what it says is the forced imposition of a 2 percent raise for service workers after the union failed to accept a 3 percent pay rise offered by university negotiators . Instead the AFSCME is pushing for a pay increase closer to 6 percent , with improved controls on hiring and outsourcing of jobs private for - profit companies . The move by nurses and lab workers to join the protesters comes amid Janus versus AFSCME Council 31 , a federal lawsuit now before the California Supreme Court that attempts to undo requirements in 21 states requiring all public employees in unionized professions to pay union dues . University hospitals across the state have attempted to reduce the number of patients in hospital beds and rescheduling hundreds of elective procedures but its has not been entirely successful .
As protests outside University of California hospitals continued into its second day , service workers in green on picket lines were joined by a range of nurses and lab workers . The protests have been born out of stagnating contract negotiations between health care , research , service and technical staff and the University of California that have taken place over the last year . The American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees ( AFSCME ) protesting what it says is the forced imposition of a 2 percent raise for service workers after the union failed to accept a 3 percent pay rise offered by university negotiators . Instead the AFSCME is pushing for a pay increase closer to 6 percent , with improved controls on hiring and outsourcing of jobs private for - profit companies . The move by nurses and lab workers to join the protesters comes amid Janus versus AFSCME Council 31 , a federal lawsuit now before the California Supreme Court that attempts to undo requirements in 21 states requiring all public employees in unionized professions to pay union dues . University hospitals across the state have attempted to reduce the number of patients in hospital beds and rescheduling hundreds of elective procedures but its has not been entirely successful .