Hold the Line! Teamsters Local 2010 Strike Begins Tuesday

Next week, starting Tuesday, February 17 through Friday, February 20, our union siblings, Teamsters Local 2010 members, will strike across all CSU campuses (except the Cal Poly Solano campus).

Teamsters Local 2010 members represent all CSU’s skilled trade workers (e.g., electricians, plumbers, carpenters, HVAC technicians, mechanics, etc.) and are the workers that keep our campuses running.

“Solidarity across all workers is an important value of ours at CFA. All of us are in union and in full support [of the Teamsters],” said Margarita Berta- Ávila, CFA president and Sacramento State professor. “Although Chancellor García has failed to honor the salary steps that Teamsters members fought for and won during their last contract negotiations, we know we can count on our members to show them the respect they deserve by honoring their struggles and all that they do for our students.”

We are calling on all faculty to sign this pledge card and show your solidarity by not only refusing to cross the picket line, but also joining them across campus lines. You can also review our FAQs regarding the strike and how you can support them.

CSU management cannot force faculty to cross picket lines, nor can they prevent us from engaging in lawful solidarity actions. You can join their picket line. You can also withhold your labor, and management has the right to dock your pay for any days you do not work to join the Teamsters strike.

What Led Up to the Decision to Strike?

For nearly three decades, CSU management denied step increases to CSU workers and were the only California state employer that did not provide these salary steps for their employees. This has impacted all CSU unions, including members from Teamsters and CFA.

“What this meant in practice is that we had members who had given decades of service, 20, 30, or more years to the university, and were still at the bottom of their pay range and left behind,” said Jason Rabinowitz, secretary treasurer of Teamsters Local 2010.

“So, we set out to fix this problem. We worked together with a lot of other unions. We lobbied, rallied, picketed, and we had to take a series of strikes to win the contract with these steps.”

In January 2024, Teamsters 2010 members won a significant three-year contract. It included a 5% General Salary Increase (CSI) with retroactive pay as well as the establishment of a Salary Step System—the first in nearly 30 years.

By October 2024, 84% of members reached their target salary step, with all members expected to reach their steps by July 2025. A target step refers to a worker’s pay based on their years of service. Because many long-serving workers were not getting step increases, their salaries began falling behind new hires.

“People who had been left far behind would be brought up to their target step by the end of the contract. This was a very important principle that service and longevity should be honored by being on that appropriate target step,” said Rabinowitz.

Rabinowitz said the only people in the CSU who got a raise in 2025 were incredibly overpaid executives. “Only the very richest here are going to get a raise. Everyone else gets zero,” sighed Rabinowitz.

Rabinowitz referred to the astounding raises that the chancellor and CSU trustees gave to CSU presidents back in November 2025. Even after facing immense backlash from stakeholders and legislators, the chancellor and trustees continued to approve another set of exorbitant raises for executives in January 2026.

However, when management refused to pay the Teamsters what they were contractually owed, the Teamsters had to step up their fight.

“We’re having to fight and strike again over something that we already fought and struck over a couple years ago,” said Rabinowitz. “CSU already made a promise, and we’re demanding that they keep their promises. We know you’re there for us, and we’ll be there for you. And that’s what solidarity and the union is all about. We look forward to seeing you on the picket line and standing strong together in union.”

Please remember to sign the pledge card here and show your support. We also encourage you to get in touch with your CFA chapter president or field representative if you have questions or would like to find ways to support your local Teamsters members.

When we fight, we win!