Nearly 30,000 medical workers from the university’s five medical centers also joint the strike.
Indian American lawmaker Kamala Harris on Monday announced that she will skip the commencement speech at the University of California, Berkeley in support of the university staff who are striking over payment discrepancy.
“Due to the ongoing labor dispute, Sen. Harris regretfully cannot attend and speak at this year’s commencement ceremony at UC Berkeley,” read an official statement from the senator’s office.
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Harris, who has already sent out signals that she could be one of Democratic party’s key contender for the 2019 election was all set to speak at the graduation ceremony this weekend.
But starting on Monday, the custodians and security guards across 10 university campuses called for a three-day strike following a contract dispute.
Extending support to them, nearly 30,000 medical workers from the university’s five medical centers also joint the strike.
UC Berkeley officials made the announcement Monday afternoon saying: “We regretfully share the news that, after much consideration, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris has decided not to speak at Saturday’s commencement ceremony at UC Berkeley due to a UC-wide speaker boycott called by AFSCME Local 3299.”
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“She wishes the graduates and their families a joyous commencement weekend and success for the future. They are bright young leaders, and our country is counting on them,†read the official statement from Harris.
More than 6,000 students from various disciplines of US Berkley are expected to participate in the commencement ceremony at Cal’s Memorial Stadium Saturday morning.
Harris also took to Twitter and wrote in favor of the striking employees of UC Berkley. “If we are going to live up to our ideals as a nation, it’s critical we focus on economic equality and economic justice. One key is making sure everyone has access to a good job, with fair wages, and safe working conditions,” she tweeted.