New Year Message from CSUEU President Hutchinson

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!