eNews | March 20, 2026
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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.