In solidarity with union members engaged in tough negotiations over a contract with the University of California, former President Bill Clinton won’t speak to graduating students at the system’s Los Angeles campus on Friday.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents about 20,000 University of California workers, asked commencement speakers to cancel their appearances while negotiations are under way. The contract would cover medical technicians, custodians, and cafeteria workers.
A spokesman for Mr. Clinton said he had been honored to be asked to speak, “but as he has said, he cannot cross a picket line,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
UCLA’s chancellor, Gene D. Block, will give the commencement address instead. —Kate Moser
