CSUEU Press Release: Tentative Agreement Reached

11/2/2026 Press Releases
CSUEU Press Release: Tentative Agreement Reached

CSU Employees Union

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Khanh weinberg | kweinberg@csueu.org

Nov. 2, 2026 

CSU’s Largest Union Reaches Agreement for 2026 Contract

15,000 staff across 22 campuses to vote to ratify Nov. 3-17

SACRAMENTO, CA – After six months of negotiations, the California State University Employees Union (CSUEU/SEIU Local 2579) has reached a tentative agreement with the California State University (CSU) that would deliver significant economic improvements, implement long-awaited salary reforms, and provide greater financial stability for approximately 15,000 essential university staff. 

The agreement, worth more than $130 million, meets some of the core demands of the 15,000 staff employees who provide essential services for student learning, such as Administrative coordinators who help create class schedules, custodians who keep dorms clean, nurses who administer vaccines, and IT specialists who keep everyone and everything connected.

Highlights of the agreement include:

  • Full implementation of salary steps and salary structure adjustments - this addresses chronic stagnant wages caused by a broken salary system identified in the last two salary studies commissioned by the CSU.
  • 1.2% Salary Structure Adjustment, retroactive to July 1, 2026
  • Bonus checks for all eligible employees in December: $3,575 for full-time employees, with prorated amounts for part-time employees.
  • Year 2: One step movement for everyone eligible at 2%
  • Year 2: 2.3% SSA

The agreement also includes the establishment of committees that will address campuses’ over-use of temporary employees and employee health care costs. 

With strong advocacy from University workers, this year’s state budget provided full funding for the CSU - $365.7 million in new ongoing funding  - with the expectation that the Chancellor’s Office would honor its contractual commitments to its workforce.

“For years, CSU staff have struggled with stagnant wages while the cost of living continues to rise,” said Catherine Hutchinson, CSUEU President. “Our members fought hard for a salary system that recognizes their experience, dedication, and contributions to student success. This tentative agreement represents meaningful progress, but our work is not finished. We will continue fighting for fair wages, salary equity, and the respect CSU employees deserve.”

CSUEU’s bargaining team reached the agreement on Saturday (Oct. 31) and informed its membership of a ratification vote starting Tuesday, Nov. 3. The new contract would run through June 30, 2029 with an optional re-opener in 2028 over wages and benefits.

If approved by the membership, the agreement - posted here - goes to the CSU Board of Trustees for final approval on Nov. 17, 2026. 

The Union has scheduled Zoom town halls on Tuesday to provide its membership a full update.

BACKGROUND

Contract negotiations started in May 2026, with the previous contract expiring on June 30. All proposals exchanged are posted on the union website.

A 2026 salary study from the CSU showed CSUEU members earn below market in comparison to peers in the industry. The Union responded that the CSU consistently struggles to compete for staff against the broader labor market, jeopardizing the quality education it promises students.

CSUEU represents 15,000 career staff and another 20,000 student assistants, the latter group having organized into a union in 2022 and are in the middle of negotiating their first-ever contract. In addition, another 1,000 staff and student workers employed by private campus auxiliaries joined CSUEU in the past year and are also currently in contract negotiations.

With 36,000 members in its union, CSUEU is the largest labor organization at the CSU. 

The status of contract negotiations between the CSU and other unions is as follows:

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CSUEU/SEIU Local 2579 represents 36,000 CSU support staff and student assistants. We work in every part of campus, including information technology, healthcare, clerical, administrative and academic support, campus operations, grounds and custodial. We also represent campus non-profit employees at recreation centers, childcare facilities, dining halls, and many more areas of campus life.

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