20,000 medical and service workers at the University of California are voting on whether to go on strike for better pay.

"Most Positions are approximately lower than physicians at outside hospitals and colleges. So we're just trying to get equal pay for equal work," said UCSF Respiratory Therapist Judy McKeever highlighting the biggest issue.

McKeever says there are chronic staff shortages at UC hospitals because experienced workers are lured into the private sector by higher salaries and better benefits.

"For our service employs, the budget shortfall is a real consideration in our wage proposalsm," says UC's Nicole Savickas.

Savickas admits the campus service workers are underpaid, but their deal is complicated because the state budget is unresolved. 

KCBS' Bob Butler reports