The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Union has notified the University of California of its intent to conduct a UC-system-wide one-day strike on Wednesday, November 13 from midnight to 11:59 p.m. Approximately 68 employees are members of the AFSCME SX bargaining unit (custodians, drivers, groundskeepers) and two Lab employees are in the EX (patient care services) bargaining unit.
What You Need to Know
Deliveries: FedEx drivers will provide delivery service to the Lab on Wednesday. UPS will not be delivering or picking up on Wednesday. If you have a critical package that needs to be shipped or is scheduled to arrive that day, you will need to contact the carrier to make alternative arrangements.
Gate restrictions: Lab staff, suppliers, visitors, and guests must use the Blackberry or Grizzly Gates only. The Grizzly Gate will be open for entry into the Lab from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the strike. The Blackberry Gate will be open 24 hours.
The Strawberry Gate is for the exclusive use of construction contractors, their subcontractors, and their suppliers. Berkeley Lab employees will not be permitted to enter or exit through the Strawberry Gate.
Security checks: Additional security checks will be performed at all Berkeley Lab gates during the strike to ensure that personnel use the correct gate. All employees are required to have their badges and parking placards ready for inspection. Anyone without an LBNL badge needs to be on the access list and be prepared to show a government-issued ID. A person entering with a badged LBNL employee, such as a ride-share driver, needs to show a government-issued ID. Additionally, Lab Security will refuse entrance to vehicles lacking valid Berkeley Lab parking permits at each gate. The Blackberry Gate security check will take place below the horseshoe parking lot (Lot F), near the Foothill Lot.
Traffic delays: Traffic delays may occur at Lab gates or on UC Berkeley property, whether or not picketing occurs, due to increased security measures and the need to comply with labor laws regarding gate access and restrictions. All Lab personnel are asked to plan for delays and make safety their number one priority.
Shuttle routes: The Orange route will access the Lab through the Blackberry Gate and maintain all regular Lab pickup locations, with the Pool stops on Centennial Drive closed. Riders should use the Rim Way and Gayley stop as an alternative. See the modified Orange Route map.
The Rockridge route will keep its regular schedule, but it will enter through the Grizzly Gate and exit through the Blackberry Gate.
There will be no changes to the Blue or North Berkeley routes, but there may be delays due to congestion in the Berkeley area.
Employee Absences During the Strike: All Lab employees (both represented and non-represented) are expected to abide by their regular work schedules on Nov. 13, and any unexcused absences will be unpaid. If employees call in sick on November 13, they will be required to provide doctors’ notes upon their return to work.
Vacation requests: Vacation requests for Nov. 13 will be denied on the basis of operational necessity; previously approved vacation days off will be honored.
Telecommuting: Any employee who has a formal telecommute agreement and who regularly telecommutes on any of the days of the week during which the strike occurs may maintain the normal telecommute schedule with supervisory approval.
Questions: Strike-related questions should be sent to strikeinfo@lbl.gov. This account will be monitored by a team from Human Resources, Facilities, and Protective Services.
Reporting concerns: If you see any safety issues or life-threatening emergencies, call 911 immediately. For any other incidents or concerns, contact the Lab’s Security Operations Center at 510-486-6999.
Updates: Watch for updated information in Elements, via email, at the 1-800-445-5830 status line, at status.lbl.gov and at the Lab’s new Twitter account, @LBNLstatus.