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UC says strikers’ demand to tie pay to housing costs could have ‘overwhelming’ cost impacts

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Pay and housing demands by University of California academic workers — who launched a massive strike across the system this week — could amount to several hundred million dollars annually, an “overwhelming” financial impact, a UC senior leader says.

In a letter released Wednesday, UC Provost Michael T. Brown told the system’s 10 chancellors and other top leaders that California housing costs are a “significant challenge” and pledged to “work diligently” to support students. But he drew attention to the impact of two union demands in particular — tying compensation to housing costs and waiving out-of-state tuition for international scholars.

Brown said the state’s subsidy for UC students only funds Californians, so the university must rely on other means — including supplemental tuition — to cover costs for international and out-of-state students.

“If we were to provide remission of out-of state supplemental tuition, non-California student employees would in effect receive a larger compensation package than California resident student employees for doing the same work,” Brown said.

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