BERKELEY -- A union representing service workers at the University of California is suing over a request to see UC financial records.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 is seeking to see records of purchase orders and other contracts for three years at 10 UC campuses.

In its suit filed June 29 in Alameda County Superior Court, the union claims that some campuses want to charge hundreds or thousands of dollars for records that should be public.

UC officials say they are trying meet the requests, but the union has asked for a great deal of data.

Local 3299 represents 20,000 service employees at the university's campuses and five medical centers.