University of California Academic Workers' Strike Temporarily Halted by Court Order A strike by University of California academic workers, represented by United Auto Workers Local 4811, has been temporarily halted by a Southern California judge following the university's argument that the walkout was causing students "irreparable harm." The temporary restraining order, issued by Judge Randall J. Sherman of the Orange County Superior Court, came as tens of thousands of U.C. students were preparing for finals at the end of the spring quarter. The strike, which began on May 20 at U.C. Santa Cruz and extended to other campuses, was in response to the treatment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators and concerns over free speech policies and work environment safety. The university system contended that the strike was not about working conditions but rather an attempt to force U.C. institutions to take a position on a political issue. The university had previously asked the state Public Employment Relations Board to declare the union's action unlawful, but the board found that the university's claims did not meet the legal threshold required to block the strike. The university then sought injunctive relief and sued the union for breach of contract, leading to the temporary restraining order. The order effectively ends the strike until a hearing can be held, with the next court date set for June 27, just before the strike's authorized end date of June 30. The university expressed gratitude for the pause in the strike, citing potential irreversible setbacks to students' academic achievements and critical research. However, the president of U.A.W. 4811, Rafael Jaime, stated that the strike is "far from over" and that academic workers are prepared to continue defending their rights.