More than 150 union members from across California gathered in Sacramento on April 28 – 29 for a Joint Lobby Day to defend public higher education and advocate for a more transparent and accountable CSU. CFA members, Academic Professionals of California (APC), and Teamsters Local 2010 met directly with lawmakers at the State Capitol, calling on them to reject the Governor’s proposed 7.95 percent cut to the CSU budget. Students for Quality Education (SQE) also lobbied with us.

A group of folks at a table writing postcards to nonmembers asking them to join CFA.
CFA members write postcards on Lobby Day urging other faculty to join the fight to stop the cuts.

Faculty and staff also urged support for legislation that would strengthen oversight of the CSU system, including measures that promote fiscal accountability, equity, and democratic governance.

CFA members hand-delivered thousands of petitions, postcards, letters of advocacy from our community coalition, and a copy of our equity paper, “Shortchanging Students: How the CSU is Failing Our Future,” to the governor and legislators.

“We showed up in force to protect our students, our colleagues, and the future of the CSU,” said CFA President Charles Toombs. “Our presence in Sacramento made it clear that these cuts are unacceptable—and that the people who make the CSU run deserve to be heard and respected.”

During the two-day event, CFA hosted a Legislative Reception at the CFA Conference Center, where the union honored five lawmakers with Legislator of the Year awards for their leadership on behalf of students, workers, and public higher education:

  • Assemblymember Liz Ortega
  • Assemblymember Ash Kalra
  • Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan
  • Assemblymember Chris Rogers
  • Senator Aisha Wahab

These elected officials have consistently stood with us in the fight for equity, access, and accountability in higher education. “We’re proud to recognize them as true allies in the struggle for a better CSU,” Toombs added.

The reception provided space for members and legislators to connect and reflect on shared priorities, including full funding for public education, fair working conditions, and a university system that serves the public good—not private interests.

As the budget process continues in the Legislature, CFA members pledged to keep up the pressure—and to keep showing up.

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