Tens of thousands of University of California physician assistants, optometrists, and other health care workers and custodial employees went on strike Wednesday over alleged unfair labor practices and staff shortages.

Thousands of University of California healthcare, research and technical employees walked off the job Wednesday, urging the university to address staffing shortages and end what they describe as restrictions on employees’ ability to raise concerns about workplace conditions.

Thousands of University of California workers have gone on strike across the state over what they say are unfair labor practices at the university.

Nearly 60,000 University of California workers walked off the job Wednesday as a multi-day strike begins over wages, staffing shortages and working conditions. Two different labor unions are leading the strikes,