Breaking News

eNews | April 2, 2026

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:55:35 GMT

CSUEU Email Campaign for Full Salary Steps: Your Voice Needed

The CSU Chancellor addressed state legislators at a budget hearing in February and said, on the record: "With the Governor’s proposal as it is now, we can go back to the table and complete the Compact in full form."

We intend to hold Chancellor Mildred Garcia to it! Unlike last year's broken promises, the CSU has no more excuses to delay providing full Salary Steps to us this year.

Add your name to our email campaign by sending a quick (pre-filled) message to your state legislators.

A group of us will be at the state Capitol on April 13-14 as part of our annual "Lobby Day," where we meet one-on-one with state leaders, share our worker stories, and advocate for full CSU funding. Show our CSUEU team your support and join in the fight for FULL STEPS today!

Register for Zoom Contract Kickoff Meeting
If you missed the in-person kickoff meeting on your campus, now you have the chance to attend one virtually.

Our kickoff meetings are planning sessions for our contract campaign. We are plotting the path together our union will take to win all of our demands at the bargaining table.

April 8 - Zoom Kickoff Meeting #1
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Register here.

April 23 - Zoom Kickoff Meeting #2
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Register here.

Political Victory: Campus Turnaround Plans
Last year we demanded that legislators hold CSU management accountable for enrollment decline at select campuses. We refuse to allow our smaller campuses, which are economic pillars for communities across California, to wither away from inaction of the Chancellor's Office.

CSU has submitted these campus turnaround plans for review. View them here.

CSUEU leaders will testify on behalf of our membership at budget subcommittee meetings in Sacramento next week. We will continue to fight for all campuses. You can grow our worker power by contributing to our Political Activities Committee!

Join PAC!

CSUEU PRIMARY ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS
Our vote matters. As workers in Higher Ed, for a university that is publicly funded, who we elect to Sacramento and the U.S. Capitol determines whether the CSU gets the funding it needs to serve students and support its workforce.

CSUEU's 35,000 represented workers are affiliated with SEIU - Service Employees International Union - and we are part of SEIU California, the voice for 750,000 workers across the state employed in education, healthcare, security, and more.

Aspiring leaders seek our union endorsement and we support those who strongly advocate for workers, regardless of their political party. Check out our CSUEU endorsements for the June Primary Election.

DON'T MISS UPCOMING STEWARD TRAININGS
CSUEU Stewards are our worksite leaders who organize, problem-solve, and educate fellow co-workers. There will be four special training sessions in April for Stewards looking to expand their role. Be sure to register for one or all of the trainings below:

Labor Management Council (LMC)
Training by Steven Butcher

Thursday, April 9
12 p.m. | Register here
6 p.m. | Register here

Recommended for: All Stewards interested in broader workplace advocacy and issue-solving.

Level III Grievance
Training by Andy Heller

Monday, April 13
12 p.m. | Register here
6 p.m. | Register here

Recommended for: Stewards prepared to engage in complex, high-level cases.
Open to all Stewards interested in advanced representation.

Weingarten (Investigatory) Meetings
Training by Vivian Mendoza

Wednesday, April 22
12 p.m.| Register here
6 p.m. | Register here

Recommended for: All Stewards to build foundational representation skills.

Skelly Hearings
Training by Marjeli Lopez

Thursday, April 30
12 p.m.| Register here
6 p.m. | Registration here

Recommended for: Stewards ready to take on disciplinary representation.
Open to all Stewards interested in expanding their role.

CSUEU in the News
All 22 CSU campuses have participated in our contact 2026 kickoff! We are organizing together to increase our visibility and activity to win a strong contract with full salary steps and paid sick time for student workers.

Check out the Long Beach Current coverage.

“What we are doing is a contract kickoff. We are getting ready to activate our union, attract our members and also attract people who are not members but are eligible. Our job right now is to get staff and student assistants fired up and ready for a potential strike in the fall.” - Bethany Price, CSUEU Long Beach Chapter Treasurer

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.

Tell CA Legislature: Pass the Budget, Fully Fund the CSU

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:42:22 GMT

We are mounting our strongest fight yet to win full Salary Steps for Staff and a first contract for Student Assistants this year - and we have powerful support: The Governor's state budget proposal includes full funding for the CSU!

That means the Chancellor's Office has no more excuses not to follow through on their commitments.

We need to encourage our elected legislators to adopt the budget and commit to fully funding their compact with the CSU.

Send an email to your state legislators right now to ask that they support the CSU and the Staff who make student success possible.

President's Corner | March 26, 2026

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:27:17 GMT

President's Corner
Union President Catherine Hutchinson shares updates, priorities, and ways members can take action together.

March 26, 2026

Dear Members,

The CSU issued a one-time 3% bonus payment for eligible non-represented staff last month. Represented Staff, including CSUEU members, have rejected the offer as inadequate and continue to negotiate with the Chancellor's Office for a real salary increase.

You can read our position when the bonus was first offered in January, but here's a quick recap: The bonus would be heavily taxed; it is not a raise and would not increase our salary base; and it does not address wage stagnation, increased workloads, recruitment and retention challenges, or the rising cost of living.

Why is it that the Chancellor and Board of Trustees always cite "lack of funds" when workers demand livable wages but can afford to boost campus presidents' salary by 5%-20%?

If you are as outraged as I am, sign up and join our union today! CSUEU members' direction to our Bargaining Team is crystal clear: Keep fighting for Full Salary Steps for Contract 2026!

What we're focused on
Along with Vice President for Finance Terrance Wilson and Chief Negotiator Ned Burke, we met with President Wood at Sac State last week to discuss how bargaining is going with ASI workers and the auxiliary employer. Since voting to join CSUEU last year, ASI full-time and student staff are bargaining for their first contract.

Unsurprisingly, ASI Management says there's no money to pay workers livable wages.

Our Union stands with ASI Sac workers: Our fight for fair wages is one! As we wrap up our Contract 2026 campaign kickoff actions across 22 campuses this week, we are hearing from a lot of you who say you are ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract this year.

The truth is Management only yields when they feel the heat. Keep reading to learn more about what it takes to wage a successful strike against the boss.

What members should know
What does it mean to go on "strike"? A strike is when workers come together and collectively stop working as a form of protest against the employer. Our contract expires on June 30 this year. After that date, we are working without a contract. If CSU Management engages in bad faith bargaining while we negotiate for a new contract, we can file a Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge which allows us to legally refuse to work until our demands are met.

During a ULP strike, the employer cannot threaten, discriminate, or terminate employees for engaging in a lawful strike, per the state Public Employment Relations Board.

Going on strike is always the last resort - but is the most powerful tool we have as workers. For a strike to be effective, everyone would need to join in.

If you want to show CSU management we will not accept anything less than Full Steps, now is the time to join your Contract Action Team - the core group that is planning campus actions to win what we deserve.

Get involved!
We are offering New Steward Certification Training session in April. I encourage you to register to attend. Note: Training takes four hours to qualify for the certification exam.

WHAT: New Steward Certification Training
WHEN: Saturday, April 18
TIME: 9 AM - 1 PM

Registration Link

One more thing
Please do not use your campus email account for communications that relate to workplace issues, such as your job or potential union grievances.

While it may feel convenient, campus email systems are owned and controlled by the employer. That means management can access, monitor, and retrieve emails sent through those systems. In some cases, those communications can be used in ways that may negatively impact you or others, especially when discussing workplace concerns, filing issues, or coordinating around union activity.

When you use your campus email to talk about union matters, you are unintentionally giving management visibility into:

- Your concerns and complaints

- Conversations with stewards or union representatives

- Potential strategies or next steps

This is not about creating fear. It’s about being smart and protecting yourself and your coworkers.For any union-sensitive issue, always use a private, non-campus email account. This ensures your communications remain yours, not the employer’s.

I understand that campus email is often the easiest and most accessible option. But in this case, convenience can come at a cost.

If you need assistance:

- Setting up a private email account

- Connecting with your campus steward using their personal email

- Or understanding how to safely communicate about workplace issues

Please reach out - we are here to help.

Taking this small step helps protect not just you, but our collective strength as a union.

When we fight, we win - but we also have to fight smart.

In unity,

Catherine Hutchinson
President
CSU Employees Union

eNews | March 20, 2026

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:30:18 GMT

We Are Gearing Up for Action!

We have had contract campaign kickoff meetings at nearly every campus, and at every meeting members have shown a clear desire to fight for a strong contract. Coming out of these meetings, campus Contract Action Teams (CATs) have developed concrete plans to increase union visibility and actions on campus.

The kickoff meetings have highlighted that our members are willing to take escalating actions should the CSU fail to meet our demands. In order for action to be successful, we need to be united and organized. Join the CAT to make sure your campus is ready.

Our contract expires on July 1, 2026. From now until then, we must demonstrate to the CSU that we will do whatever it takes to win the contract that we deserve.

"When I worked as a teacher at LAUSD, I went on strike with my union twice and both times we won fair contracts with pay raises. I'm ready to strike at CSU if needed." - Taryn McHugh, Administrative Analyst, CSU Channel Islands

CSU's Unionized Workforce Calls for Full Funding

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal this year gave us a very strong start. And 35,000 CSU career staff and student workers are counting on the state Legislature to follow through and adopt a budget that fully funds higher education in California.

CSUEU President Catherine Hutchinson joined with leaders from the CFA, Teamsters 2010, and UAW 4123 at a press conference this week (March 18) to urge elected leaders to adopt a budget that fully funds the five-year compact they have with the CSU.

Powerful allies speaking up in support of workers included Assemblymember Mike Fong and Lorena Gonzalez, President of the California Federation of Labor Unions.

"We have struggled with stagnant wages for far too long. Last year’s partial implementation of salary steps did not go far enough. In fact, it fell short of Management’s promise made to staff to bring us up to market-level wages. Funding higher education is an investment and our students and workers are absolutely worth it!" - Catherine Hutchison, CSUEU President

Bargaining Update: Management Puts Negotiations on Slow Track

CSUEU's Bargaining Team presented our opening contract proposals back in January, and so far, here's the total number of negotiation sessions we've had with Management: ZERO.

Among the many issues we want to address are standardized performance evaluations, usage of Temporary Workers, and contracting out. We are ready to bargain but need the Employer to provide dates.

We'll keep calling out CSU leadership on their stalling tactics. On the one hand, they tout Staff as the key asset that helps students succeed but refuse to provide the one thing that would help us: full steps to make our lives easier.

Make sure to fill out the bargaining survey to let our Bargaining Team what you want to fight for in Contract 2026!

New Member Spotlight

Join Ruben and activate your CSUEU membership today!

Big Union Win: Student Workers Successfully Organize at Gavilan College

Student workers at Gavilan Community College in Gilroy are making history. About 100 student workers have organized to form the Gavilan Student Workers Union and have recently won recognition at PERB, becoming one of the first student worker unions at the community college level in California.

Their efforts were inspired in part by the organizing victories of CSU student workers. CSUEU is proud to stand in solidarity with these student workers as they organize and build power on their campus.

Their victory shows that when workers come together, they can create real change, and it reflects a growing movement of student workers across higher education demanding respect, fair treatment, and a voice on the job.

Take Action: No Kings Day 3/28

CSUEU members are mobilizing this month to defend public higher education, protect our democracy, and peacefully demonstrate people power.

This is a chance for us to flex our union muscle as we prepare for greater action against the CSU.

Join your union siblings at an action near you by RSVPing.

RSVP for No Kings Day

eNews | March 6, 2026

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 21:27:35 GMT

Members Kick Off Contract Campaign on Campuses

CSUEU leaders are visiting each CSU campus to shape our plan to win for our upcoming contract negotiations.

Hundreds of staff and student assistants have attended our Contract Campaign Kickoff meetings so far, and more meetings are coming up this month. See a full schedule here.

So far, the vibe is clear: Union members are fed up with excuses and broken promises from the Chancellor's Office. We are willing to fight — to do whatever it takes — to win a strong contract this year.

First Contract Win for Custodians Contracted Out at Monterey Bay

Employees at UG2, a custodial contracting service used by CSU Monterey Bay, voted to join CSUEU last year. They just finished negotiating their first contract and won new rights and benefits.

These employees fought for and won job security, freedom from discrimination and unfair discipline, and raises between 3% and 7%.

Even when the CSU tries to undermine worker protections by contracting out our members' work, we can build our power by making sure every job is a union job.

Join Our CAT Team!

In the News: Cal State Unions Push to Cap Executive Pay, Shield Raises for Organized Workers

Our Union is actively supporting several legislative bills that will hold CSU management more accountable to how public funds are used and how it compensates workers.

The CSU uses a small state statutory loophole whenever it wants to back out of bargaining agreements with workers. We saw this last year when it broke its promise for full salary steps implementation for staff.

Our Union supports AB1818, legislation sponsored by Teamsters 2010, that will eliminate this loophole. Read EdSource's interview with CSUEU President Catherine Hutchinson about our support for this legislation.

Another bill, AB1831, would cap pay for CSU administrators, contractors and managers at 125% of the governor’s salary. Union members are also voters and we can use our political power to push for legislation that lifts up workers!

Union Honors Brenda Brown's 25 Years of Service

Brenda Brown has worked in the labor movement for nearly 40 years. She’s heard all the jokes from younger workers, such as, “Did you have phones when you first started organizing?”

Yes, she did. Brenda grew up in the era of “landline” phones when there was an all-knowing "Operator" you could reach by pressing "O."

The CSUEU Board of Directors honored Brenda’s distinguished 25-year union service with a retirement celebration at their February meeting.
>> More

“When you spend nearly 40 years in an industry and 25 of those years with one organization, you do not just build a career, you build a life and a collection of memories that stay with you long after the workdays end.”

- Brenda Brown, CSUEU Sr. Labor Representative

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.”

Union Celebrates Retirement of Labor Representative Brenda Brown

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:09:35 GMT

Brenda Brown has worked in the labor movement for nearly 40 years. She’s heard all the jokes from younger workers, such as, “Did you have phones when you first started organizing?”

Yes, she did. Brenda grew up in the era of “landline” phones when there was an all-knowing "Operator" you could reach by pressing "O."

As a Eligibility Worker in LA County, Brenda got a taste of the union world when she signed up to become a Steward with the Local now known as SEIU 721. She then got a job as a labor representative there.

“I've never been afraid to speak out against injustice. Standing up for what's right has always come naturally to me,” she said. “A union representative told me I had leadership qualities and encouraged me not just to be a union member, but to become a Steward which gave me the chance to advocate for others in an official role.”

Brenda found her way to CSUEU in 2001 working as a labor representative, eventually serving as lead and unofficial Team Mom to HQ staff and union members who called her, "BB." Over two decades-plus, many came and went but Brenda remained, the glue and encyclopedia of all things CSUEU. Assigned to support the Bargaining Team, Brenda helped work on the last two contract negotiations that won historic salary increases for members.

Tessy Reese, Chair for Bargaining Unit 2, called Brenda a friend, mentor, and sister.

"I know many of us are better Stewards because of Brenda and will forever be grateful for her patience. Many of us still reach out to her to ask for advice and know she will gladly be there for us with her experience and knowledge," said Tessy. "When necessary, she would bring out her "No mess with me" attitude and helped our Union win many grievances and arbitrations. Brenda will be part of many of our lives even as she relaxes and enjoys her well-deserved retirement. BB is family now to many of us in CSUEU."

The CSUEU Board of Directors honored Brenda’s distinguished 25-year union service with a retirement celebration at their February meeting.

“When you spend nearly 40 years in an industry and 25 of those years with one organization, you do not just build a career, you build a life and a collection of memories that stay with you long after the workdays end,” Brenda said in her speech to the union leaders.

“I trained more Stewards than I can count, and while I may not remember every name, I know I contributed to building a strong foundation of leaders who continue to serve CSUEU today.”

Q&A: IN HER OWN WORDS

What was most fun about your work?
The most fun part of my work was training members to become stewards, spending time on campuses recruiting non-members, and preparing members to take concerted action when the moment called for it.

What message do you have for the next generation of labor advocates?
I would tell the next generation of labor advocates to never compromise their values, to lead with integrity, to listen to the workers first, and to identify and mentor new leaders so the labor movement can continue to grow and move forward long after we're gone.

What’s next?
I hope to slow down a little, breathe a little deeper, and enjoy the parts of life that work sometimes pushed to the side. I am excited for what is ahead, but I will always carry this place, this union, and all of you, with me.

Members Gather for Contract Kickoff

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:31:47 GMT

Our contact kickoff started last week with Fullerton, San Bernardino, and San Diego State. Career Staff and Student Assistants are coming together to identify what we want to fight for this year.

We are organizing together to increase our visibility and activity to win a strong contract with full salary steps and paid sick time for student workers.

Are you ready to turn up the heat on the CSU to ensure we get our fair share? The contract kickoff events, which continue in March (this week: L.A., Northridge, Dominguez Hills, and Cal Poly Pomona) are opportunities for union members to connect and begin strategizing what we are willing to do to win full steps implementation and fair first contract for student workers.

I was able to speak with many members as we engaged in discussions on topics such as better working conditions, benefits and a livable wage. We must stay informed, be engaged to WIN our contract." - Lola Cromwell, ASC II, San Bernardino

Click here to read more and view photos!

eNews | Feb. 11, 2026

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:09:59 GMT

When We Fight, We Win!
Campaign Kick Off Meetings

2026 will be the year we win transformative contracts for staff and student workers, by taking escalating actions across every CSU campus. We will make it impossible for CSU management to ignore us, ensuring better pay, benefits and working conditions for all.

In preparation for this ambitious contract campaign, we are hosting Kick Off Meetings on every campus in February and March.

>> Read More.

Show Solidarity in Zoom Meetings!

Download this Zoom background.

Click to download.

Teamster Strike Solidarity

Members of Teamsters Local 2010 will begin their strike at CSU campuses next week. Find picket line information here. Our union stands in solidarity with all campus workers, and we encourage members to show support for our union siblings by wearing CSUEU blue! Questions about your rights? Read our FAQ.

CSUEU members on the Contract Action Team (CAT) are organizing solidarity actions locally on campuses. Get involved today by signing up to be a CAT member.

Join CAT

2026 is already a big year for STRIKES!

6,000 San Francisco educators said "enough is enough" and began their strike this week.

And they won't be the only education workers going on strike this year.

Los Angeles teachers (UTLA) authorized a strike, and SEIU Local 99 (who represents support staff like our union) at LAUSD are currently voting to strike.

31,000 frontline health care professionals at Kaiser in UNAC-UHCP have entered the 3rd week of their strike.

An additional 3,000 pharmacy technicians and lab workers in UFCW working at Kaiser joined the strike this week.

Workers in California are realizing their power. We are the engine moving our state's record breaking economy, but we are not getting our fair share. When we come together and take action, we can win the contracts we deserve.