UC doctors stage one-day strike at student-health clinics

About 125 doctors and dentists staged a one-day strike Tuesday at student health clinics at 10 UC campuses as part of a contract dispute between the union and the university system.

UC officials said management doctors and others would provide replacement services throughout the day so that the walkout would have a minimal effect on students. Some nonurgent appointments already had been shifted to other days.

The walkout by members of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists came after the union filed formal complaints of unfair labor practices against UC involving what its leaders said was UC’s refusal to provide financial information during bargaining. The union is seeking its first contract with UC at the student clinics.

Dr. Stuart Bussey, union president, said the union wants to determine whether funds from chancellors’ discretionary accounts could be used to improve staffing at the health centers and reduce student fees. He said the doctors would return to work Wednesday after picketing and conducting rallies Tuesday at several UC campuses, including UCLA, UC Davis, UC Berkeley and UC San Diego.

UC system spokeswoman Shelly Meron said university leaders “are disappointed” that the doctors decided to strike. “The best way to resolve these issues is at the bargaining table, not at the picket line,” she said.

At UCLA, campus spokesman Tod Tamberg reported that its student-health clinics moved some appointments to other days but remained open Tuesday and were “providing a full range of services.”

Twitter: @larrygordonlat