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Media Coverage: CSU Employees Union Begins Campaign

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:22:34 GMT

Long Beach Current | March 28, 2026

CSU employee union begins campaign as student workers seek first contract

Union meeting held with faculty, students and union representatives in attendance as contract negotiations start and potential strike looms.

The California State University Employees Union kicked off its contract campaign at Long Beach State, urging the CSU system to address student worker demands ahead of upcoming negotiations.

CSUEU statewide chapter President Catherine Hutchinson said the union’s current contract is set to expire June 30, aligning with ongoing efforts by student workers to secure their first contract with the CSU system.

Media: Unions Push to Cap Executive Pay

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:22:45 GMT

EdSource - March 5, 2026
Cal State unions push to cap executive pay, shield raises for organized workers

Cal State unions representing workers ranging from plumbers to professors are turning to legislation to strengthen their hands in disputes with the university system’s leaders. One bill sponsored by the California Faculty Association would cap executive pay at Cal State in response to recent salary increases for university presidents and top administrators. A second bill, sponsored by the Teamsters, is intended to prevent Cal State from reopening wage negotiations, a maneuver the union says allows Cal State to avoid paying the raises in their contract.

Catherine Hutchinson, the president of the California State University Employees Union, said Cal State has “used this statutory loophole to not hold up our contract” and back out of full salary steps. She said that some members expected a $700 per month salary increase, but have only added $40 to their monthly salaries. “Some of us work two to three jobs. We will not give up the CSU job, because we love our students and where we work so much that we are willing to sacrifice our health, our well-being, our self-care, to keep the job we love,” said Hutchinson, whose union represents 35,000 employees at CSU, including custodial workers, administrative staff and academic support staff. “But unfortunately, it does not pay a livable wage.”

Campus Blue Out | Jan 27, 2026

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:31:39 GMT

BLUE OUT

Channel Islands

Fullerton

Humboldt

Long Beach

Northridge

San Francisco

San Luis Obispo

San Marcos

Stanislaus

Fresno

Bakersfield

Sacramento

East Bay

Sonoma

Dominguez Hills

San Diego Health Center

Pomona

New Year Message from CSUEU President Hutchinson

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 20:25:46 GMT

Two weeks into 2026 and our Union is firing on all cylinders. Let me share with you what we have lined up and how every member is integral to our plan to win.

As you know, our contract expires on June 30. This is the year we enter into full negotiations with the Employer over pay, working conditions, and anything else that relates to our job and working life. Bargaining typically starts with each side presenting their “Sunshine Proposal,” reflecting contract priorities they want to bargain over. Here’s the proposal that our Bargaining Team will be presenting on Jan. 27 at the Board of Trustees.

Let me be clear: We are demanding full Salary Steps implementation, and we will do everything in our power - up to and including withholding our labor - if CSU management continues to make excuses to deny us fair wages we can live and build a future on.

Our Student Assistants are also bargaining for their first-ever contract to win better pay and respect for their work, without which no campus could run. Together, we are 35,000 Staff and Student workers. CSU Management should not underestimate our collective power and determination to win what we deserve this year.

Where does our power come from? We - the union members. Between February and March, our CSUEU leadership team will visit every campus to connect with our membership and lay out our goals for the year. We will share the dates and times for the Campus Contract Campaign meetings soon and I hope you can participate.

What we win in our contract will not be decided at the bargaining table. Whether we win Full Steps or not will be decided by whether Management feels the pressure from the workers.

Between now and April, we need to grow our CSUEU membership by 400 members. And we can absolutely do it - with your help. Here’s how:

Come to the Campus Contract Campaign meeting
If you already are a member, talk to a co-worker who’s not yet a member and sign them up!
Be sure to join our Contract Action Team - the people who plan campus actions to support our contract fight.
If you are not yet a member, join today.

As for the state budget, it’s looking pretty good for higher education. See our statement regarding Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal. In April, we will head to Sacramento to meet with legislators and encourage them to support funding the CSU and the workforce that supports it. Along with Lobby Day, CSUEU activists will take part in a “Strike Summit” to get training and preparation for a potential strike.

Fight. Strike. Win. Not just a slogan. I promise you that we will put all our union resources behind it. Join me, and know this: When we fight, we win!

Steps Petition Delivery | Oct. 29, 2025

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:08:46 GMT

Cal Poly Humboldt

Chico State

Sacramento State

Stanislaus State

Sonoma State

San Francisco State

Cal State East Bay

San José State

Fresno State

Cal State Los Angeles

Cal State Channel Islands

Cal State Northridge

Cal State Dominguez Hills

Cal State San Bernardino

San Diego State

San Marcos State

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Cal State Long Beach

Cal State Bakersfield

Cal State Monterey Bay

Cal Poly Pomona

Regional Union Summits Kick Off in Ukiah

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 23:39:24 GMT

CSUEU members gathered for a daylong summit in Ukiah on Sept. 26, as part of a of regional listening tour rolling across the state this fall.

Starting in Northern California, participants from Region 1 (Humboldt, Sonoma, Chico, and Sacramento) spent the day exchanging ideas about growing the Union to be more inclusive and effective in advocating for workers.

Check out what Tyrone McCarter, from Sonoma State, said about his experience at the summit.

A key group activity involved members identifying core issues they wanted to explore, from increasing member engagement to integrating the new Student Assistant bargaining unit into the broader CSUEU organization. The format for the discussions was through "Open Space," where the 20 participants could freely move from group to group based on their interest on the topic.

Key themes that emerged will be compiled along with those from the other 4 regional summits still to be held. Feedback gathered from members will help guide CSUEU's path to a stronger future. More info about the summits here.

Participating in the CSUEU Regional Summit in Ukiah was an inspiring and meaningful experience for me as both a Student Assistant and a union member. It was great to meet staff and student assistants from other campuses and realize that many of the challenges I face are shared by others across the CSU system.

The summit gave us space to share ideas about inclusion, leadership, and the importance of lifting every voice. I learned more about how the union operates and how student assistants like me can play an active role in shaping its future.

I left the summit feeling more connected, empowered, and motivated to get involved. Being part of CSUEU has shown me that my voice matters, and together we can build a stronger, more supportive community for all members.

Gulzar Shamurzaeva
Student Assistant
Sac State

FAQ Regional Summits in SLO & San Jose

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:18:56 GMT

Why is our Union holding regional summits statewide?
We are holding statewide regional summits to hear from our members. Think of these summits as a listening tour. We want to learn what's most important to our members and build a more inclusive community across our campuses.

In times like these, when our working conditions are being taken advantage of by the Chancellor's Office, we need to build worker power.
Our Union has doubled in size becoming the largest labor group at the CSU. How do we maximize our power to win for workers?

What do we hope to accomplish?

Participants’ ideas will be gathered to inform our Union’s strategic priorities and goals
Lay the groundwork to build a collective vision for belonging and member-centered power in our communities
Build member capacity so that all workers feel empowered to lift their voices in solidarity
Increase communication and dialogue across classifications (including student workers) and campuses

Should I sign up?
YES! Whether you’re a longtime CSUEU member or new(ish) to your campus, your ideas and insights are helpful - as long as you’re willing to show up and engage positively with union siblings.

Where will the Summit be held?
The Summits will be held regionally across the state.
For Region 1 - Sept. 26: Cal Poly Humboldt, Sonoma, Chico, Sacramento. The Summit will be held at the Ukiah Conference Center.
For Region 3 - Oct. 10: Fresno, Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo, and Channel Islands. The Summit will be held at the Madonna Inn, in SLO.
For Region 2 - Oct. 24: San Francisco, East Bay, San Jose, Stanislaus, and Monterey. The Summit will be held at the Marriott in San Jose.

Will hotel and transportation be provided?
We will have buses/vans to pick participants up at campuses, so please let us know if you would like to take advantage of this option. If you drive yourself and leave before 8 a.m., we will reimburse you for breakfast that day.

If you would like to spend a night, we will book and pay for your hotel room (bring a friend!). Plus dinner and breakfast the following day will be covered by state per diem rates.

Bus/van departure time/place for each campus: TBD
Return departure time/date: TBD

Can I drive on my own?
Yes — CSUEU will reimburse mileage at the current IRS mileage rate.

What is my commitment if I go?
Participants are asked to commit to being present on Oct. 10, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Madonna Inn.

Will food be provided?
Coffee, pastries, lunch and light snacks will be provided. If you drive yourself and leave before 8 a.m., we will reimburse you for breakfast that day.

Where do I apply and what is the deadline?
Register for the Summit in SLO here; the deadline is Oct. 3.
Register for the Summit in San Jose here; the deadline is Oct. 17.

¡Únete a nosotros para diseñar el futuro de nuestra Unión!

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:08:09 GMT

Solicita tu participación en la Cumbre Regional

Si alguna vez has querido involucrarte más en nuestra Unión, hacer nuevos amigos en el campus y al mismo tiempo disfrutar de la Costa Central… ¡ahora es tu oportunidad!

Estamos lanzando una gira para escuchar por todo el estado. Nuestra próxima Cumbre Regional será el 14 y el 15 de noviembre en Anaheim [Consejo: ¡Trae un invitado y quédate a pasar la noche, con hotel y cena incluidos!]

Nuestro objetivo es invitar a todos a la mesa, independientemente de la clasificación laboral, el campus o los antecedentes, para reimaginar cómo trabajamos juntos. Los participantes recibirán tiempo asignado cubierto por la Unión para que puedan asistir y con los gastos pagados por la Unión para que puedan participar en la Cumbre.

Acciones de la Cumbre:
+ Compartir ideas sobre lo que es importante para nosotros
+ Sentar las bases para crear una comunidad más inclusiva, elevando todas las voces
+ Discutir formas de empoderar a los miembros para que se conviertan en líderes
+ Escuchar a los nuevos compañeros de la unión (20,000 asistentes estudiantiles y trabajadores de servicios auxiliares de los campus que han elegido unirse a CSUEU)

Si estás entusiasmado por contribuir a reimaginar nuestra unión, o simplemente tienes curiosidad por saber qué podríamos lograr juntos, presenta tu solicitud:
Nov. 14: Northridge, Pomoma, LA, Dominguez Hills, Long Beach, Office of Chancellor
N ov. 15: San Bernardino, Fullerton, San Marcos, San Diego

Solo los miembros son elegibles para participar en la Cumbre. Si no eres miembro, puedes unirte ahora.

Joint Statement from CSU Labor Coalition

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:04:00 GMT

The California State University Labor Coalition, representing 80,000 workers, met with Chancellor Mildred García on August 21. Having called for this meeting, we expected García to have better answers to some of our shared concerns regarding raises, unnecessary job loss, program eliminations, dearth of shared governance, and lack of response to federal immigration actions.

Unfortunately, García’s responses were performative at best, often deflecting and offering no concrete answers to any of these important concerns.

As essential frontline staff who power the CSU system, our Labor Coalition stands united in support of one another. We know and appreciate the value of our labor and our contributions to student success – even if the Chancellor does not.

García stated it is critical for legislators to understand that we, the CSU, are an investment and not an expense. We call on García to recognize that faculty, staff, and students are an investment as well. That means addressing the concerns that we share.

We requested the Chancellor’s Office hold regularly scheduled future meetings with us. Our coalition has already been meeting consistently with each other, building solidarity as we fight management’s refusal to treat us with dignity and respect.

CSU management continues to stonewall our bargaining processes, make outrageous proposals, and break promises from previous contracts.

It’s time for the CSU administration to value its workers. It must bargain with all of us in good faith. We remain united and will continue to fight for the dignity that we deserve.

In solidarity,

Academic Professionals of California
California Faculty Association
California State University Employees Union
Statewide University Police Association
Teamsters Local 2010
UAW Local 4123
Union of American Physicians and Dentists

Solidarity Summer: Justice Journey

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 12:51:39 GMT

As the Trump Administration deploys federal immigration agents, the National Guard, and even U.S. Marines to target immigrant communities and detain thousands without due process, a group of CSUEU members stepped up to join a national movement to fight back.

Organized by SEIU and workers rights coalition partners, dozens of union members left the comforts of home behind to join a "Justice Journey" this summer. Traveling by bus across the country, activists aimed to shed light on the so-called “detention alley” in the Deep South where 14 of the 20 largest immigration detention centers in the US are located.

"I participated because I am an immigrant myself. I was lucky to have the opportunity to become a naturalized citizen. So now I need to speak up and fight for those who can not and are afraid," said Kenneth Chip, Distribution Center Lead from Cal State LA. "They mass-incarcerate our people to try to control us and cause fear. I would like to share that the love and unity shown by everyone was something I have never seen before. I realiez that from the East coast to the West coast, we will unite when our people are under attack."

States such as Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, have ICE facilities that are run by for-profit corporations and often associated with human rights abuses. Notably, pro-Palestine students were held in detention alley, including Mahmoud Khalil and SEIU member Rumeysa Ozturk.

Yasamean Zaidi-Dozandeh, Resident Assistant at CSU Dominguez Hills, enthusiastically volunteered for the week-long journey to Louisiana. Yasamean is one of 1,500 RAs across the CSU who filed paperwork with the state labor board this year to join 20,000 Student Assistants now part of CSUEU.

"As Resident Assistants, our role extends beyond fostering a sense of identity and belonging within the campus spirit. It is our responsibility to affirm the dignity and humanity of every individual - not just as students, but as members of the global human family. One moment that left a lasting impact on me was hearing about women detained in Basile, Louisiana, who waved through their windows as groups of union siblings protesting called out, “We see you!” towards them. Though I wasn’t present at that detention center, the symbolism struck me deeply. The only thing separating us and those detained is geographical luck."

A total of seven workers from CSUEU participated on the Journey. They included: Alysa Hernandez (San Marcos); Angelique Vasquez (San Marcos); Crystal Normoyle (Dominguez Hills); Jesus Hernandez (San Jose State); and Noah Giddens (SFSU).

"I wanted to stand up for the rights of those in my community. I couldn't just stay back and watch as our neighbors were being kidnapped by masked ICE agents," said Noah, a Student Assistant and Bargaining Team member. "Even though this action has concluded, that does not mean the fight is over. We have to continue to stand up for those in our community, continue to fight for the rights of others, and continue showing our solidarity with each other. Democracy isn't a one day event, it's a life long action that we all must partake in."

"No one is safe from these unjust arrests, and my silence is complicity," said Jesus Hernandez, Design Instructional Support Technician II, of SJSU. "The gathering of all local unions in one place was a movement I had the honor of being a part of. I had the opportunity to create bonds with my fellow CSUEU members throughout the travels and create new bonds with people I would have never met through any other means. I was also able to bring back the knowledge that we can make a difference if we gather to pursue common goals."