USC shuttle drivers plan to walk off the job Friday, protesting what they called “repeated labor law violations” by the university during union contract negotiations.
The strike and planned protest — which coincide with the busiest day of graduation weekend — threaten to throw USC’s already embattled commencement ceremonies into further turmoil.
The workers, who operate the school’s inter-campus bus lines, unionized under the banner of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) last March and began contract negotiations with the university in August.
The workers said the university retaliated against them for forming a union by ending a long-standing practice of awarding annual merit-based pay increases. The union also alleges the university has delayed negotiations in “bad faith.”
“We’re fed up, and we’re calling on USC leaders to do better,” USC shuttle driver Chris Harris said in a press release.
USC said that it has bargained “in good faith” and would continue to do so.
A rally is set for 11 a.m. Friday at the corner of Figueroa Street and McCarthy Way.
The university said in a statement that it was “disappointed that our shuttle drivers chose to strike,” but that there is a “plan in place” to ensure that shuttle service continues.