Bargaining Update: CSU Offers No Money for Real Salary Steps for Staff, but nearly $500,000 for Presidents

Days after CSU negotiators told the CSUEU Bargaining Team the current economic climate makes it difficult to lift staff wages, which are currently 12% below market, can you guess what the Board of Trustees did?

The Board announced at its May 23 meeting the appointment of four interim campus presidents, setting some annual salaries at nearly half a million dollars.

Offering “below market median” salaries, according to Trustees, would not attract qualified candidates.

That is what’s called talking out of both sides of one’s mouth.

The CSU's latest proposal is miles away from what it takes to bring the lowest-paid staff up to market median, a clear recommendation from the Mercer Salary Study.

Do campus presidents really work NINE TIMES as hard as frontline employees? We don't think so!

Click on image to see how much the new interim president makes

To win equitable salary reform (Steps), we are joining with other CSU labor organizations in a "Summer of Solidarity" (article below) to show the CSU it is workers who power the University and help make it run.

What can you do? Join CSUEU and become a member today! It is critical for the CSU to see that we have the numbers and the strength and we will not back down!

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Summer of Solidarity Draws Hundreds of Union Members to Rally at Chancellor's Office

Union members from virtually every labor group representing employees at the California State University kicked off our “Summer of Solidarity” campaign on Tuesday (May 23) with a rally outside the Office of the Chancellor. View video of the rally and read Public Comments from CSUEU Bargaining Team leaders.

Seeking to highlight the collective power workers hold in keeping the CSU’s 23 campuses in operation 24/7, the outdoors rally was timed for this week's Board of Trustees meeting.

Altogether, the labor groups represent 60,000 CSU employees whose day-to-day work contributes to student success. From Faculty who teach to Administrative Coordinators who work in college departments, to Electricians and Carpenters who maintain campuses, it takes a village of workers to run a university.

Union members embraced Student Workers who joined in the rally, taking another public step in their fight to form union, supported by CSUEU members.

"We are here today to show that the CSU is a wall-to-wall union workplace, and even more powerful once 10,000 Student Assistants get to hold an election to form their union. Our collective labor powers the University. Our collective work helps students succeed and meet their graduation goals. And this Summer of Solidarity, we demand equitable salary reform."

- CSUEU President Catherine Hutchinson.

Student Workers and Staff:
A Powerful Family

I was proud that CSUEU members and our CSU union siblings invited me, a Student Worker, to speak at the rally in front of the Board of Trustees this week. When you stood alongside us and chanted -demanding that CSU “Let Us Vote! Let Us Vote!” I felt like you welcomed us into the union family.

Your support gave me the confidence I needed to go in and speak directly to the Trustees to let them know that Student Assistants won’t stand down, we won’t be quiet: We need our union election now!

Even if you weren’t in Long Beach on Tuesday, you can join in on our chant from wherever you are by clicking here to send a tweet @CalState and tell them to LET US VOTE!

Your new Sister In Solidarity,

Diana Perez

Student Assistant, CSU L.A.