"Strike Looms Over California State University Campuses as Union Seeks Higher Wages and Benefits"
A strike is imminent at 22 California State University campuses, with approximately 1,100 Teamsters union skilled trades workers set to walk out on February 17-20. The workers are demanding higher wages and benefits, citing a year of deferred pay increases despite rising tuition fees and enrollment growth.
The dispute centers around deferred wage hikes implemented by the university last year, which the Teamsters claim was a breach of contract. According to Jason Rabinowitz, secretary-treasurer with Teamsters Local 2010, the union believes that this action, combined with rising costs of living, left workers without raises in 2025.
However, California State University officials argue that the Teamsters' actions were made contingent upon new state funding being allocated for the Cal State system. The governor's proposed budget includes $366 million in ongoing funding for the system, which could provide back wages for missed pay hikes starting July 1, 2025 – a move seen as an attempt to mitigate the impact of the strike.
As tuition fees have continued to rise, with some campuses increasing costs by up to 34% over five years, many students and workers have found themselves struggling to make ends meet. The university's financial outlook has been cited as a major concern, but officials now face demands for permanent raises from faculty unions and skilled trade workers.
"We're looking for the university to honor the existing contract," said Rabinowitz. "Nobody got a raise in all of 2025. With the cost of living going up and everything else, no one got a raise, not even faculty." The strike is set to take place on February 17-20, with workers demanding higher wages and benefits for themselves and their colleagues.
The CSU system's plans for enrollment growth have been cited as a potential source of funds to support the union's demands. With an estimated 471,451 students enrolled in the fall 2025 term, marking a 2% increase from last year – the largest year-over-year growth in a decade – many are now calling on the university to address rising tuition costs and provide more support for its staff.
As the strike approaches, tensions between the Teamsters union and California State University officials continue to escalate. The outcome of this labor dispute will have significant implications for workers, students, and the future of higher education in California.
A strike is imminent at 22 California State University campuses, with approximately 1,100 Teamsters union skilled trades workers set to walk out on February 17-20. The workers are demanding higher wages and benefits, citing a year of deferred pay increases despite rising tuition fees and enrollment growth.
The dispute centers around deferred wage hikes implemented by the university last year, which the Teamsters claim was a breach of contract. According to Jason Rabinowitz, secretary-treasurer with Teamsters Local 2010, the union believes that this action, combined with rising costs of living, left workers without raises in 2025.
However, California State University officials argue that the Teamsters' actions were made contingent upon new state funding being allocated for the Cal State system. The governor's proposed budget includes $366 million in ongoing funding for the system, which could provide back wages for missed pay hikes starting July 1, 2025 – a move seen as an attempt to mitigate the impact of the strike.
As tuition fees have continued to rise, with some campuses increasing costs by up to 34% over five years, many students and workers have found themselves struggling to make ends meet. The university's financial outlook has been cited as a major concern, but officials now face demands for permanent raises from faculty unions and skilled trade workers.
"We're looking for the university to honor the existing contract," said Rabinowitz. "Nobody got a raise in all of 2025. With the cost of living going up and everything else, no one got a raise, not even faculty." The strike is set to take place on February 17-20, with workers demanding higher wages and benefits for themselves and their colleagues.
The CSU system's plans for enrollment growth have been cited as a potential source of funds to support the union's demands. With an estimated 471,451 students enrolled in the fall 2025 term, marking a 2% increase from last year – the largest year-over-year growth in a decade – many are now calling on the university to address rising tuition costs and provide more support for its staff.
As the strike approaches, tensions between the Teamsters union and California State University officials continue to escalate. The outcome of this labor dispute will have significant implications for workers, students, and the future of higher education in California.
! I was having a major internet outage (lol, like that ever happens to me 
) and now my feeds are blowing up. So I'm here to say... gotta give it to the Teamsters on this one 
. One thousand one hundred workers shouldn't have to fight for fair pay and benefits just because the university's making bank off tuition hikes 
. It's like, we get it, budgets need to balance, but someone's gotta make sure those workers are taken care of too 
. The governor's budget might be a Band-Aid solution, but it's better than nothing 
. Here's hoping they can work something out and avoid the strike... not that I think CSU officials have always been super great about listening to their employees 
...
you know what's crazy? like, i was just talking to my friend who's a student at Cal state northridge and she said she's been feeling super stressed out about tuition fees... she knows some of her friends are actually working part-time jobs just to make ends meet 
. It's like, we're already feeling the pinch with rising costs of living, but these union workers are trying to get fair pay and benefits for themselves and their colleagues. I feel for them, you know? It's like, we need to remember that everyone has a right to a decent standard of living 
. The fact that the university is citing budget constraints as an excuse for not giving raises is just another example of how our hard work can be exploited 
.
The whole thing just feels so unfair - these workers have been deferred pay hikes for a year while tuition fees keep rising (34% over 5 years, bruh?) 
It's like, where's the love?! 
I just feel so bad for these CSU workers who are already struggling to make ends meet with rising tuition fees. It's not fair that they're being asked to take a pay cut while their salaries haven't kept up with inflation 
. The governor's proposed budget might be a good start, but it's just not enough 
.
. And now they're having a strike? Yikes! It's all about fairness and respect 
. If you're gonna take money from students, you gotta give them decent raises too 
.
. And now, the union is demanding better wages and benefits, which is fair I guess 
. Hopefully, someone can find a way to get this resolved without any major disruptions to education 
.
, can't believe they're even having a strike over this... like, I get it, the cost of living is up and nobody got a raise 
It's not exactly ideal for students who are already struggling to make ends meet with rising tuition fees 
.
... but instead of using some of that money to give their staff a decent raise 
, they're trying to get out of honoring the contract 
.
.
. The governor's proposal to allocate $366m in funding might help, but it's not enough for the Teamsters 
. Fingers crossed they can sort this out before the strike begins 
. I'm all for workers standing up for themselves, but we need a more sustainable solution here - one that doesn't involve sacrificing our education system on the altar of profits 
I'm not saying the workers don't deserve better, but is this really the best solution? A strike is gonna cause so much disruption and stress for everyone involved...it just feels like more of the same old cycle to me