The University of California today (Feb. 14) went to court to contest the request of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees for a court order to allow the union specific access to university medical centers at UC San Francisco and UCLA in order to distribute union leaflets that, in our opinion, are misleading.

AFSCME has been distributing flyers at a number of university medical centers, and in some cases, union members have been asked to relocate in order to accommodate the necessary functions of the hospital. While the university respects the First Amendment rights of the union and UC employees, it is important that UC medical center entrances and hallways be kept clear for everyone's safety and well-being, and so that we may continue to best serve our patients and their families.

While the court has granted AFSCME the access it requested, the university intends to appeal the court order and continue to press for the rights of our patients and their families.