Skilled Trades take on State Capitol
July 25, 2018
More than 60 skilled trades Teamsters from throughout the UC and CSU converged on the State Capitol for the first Local 2010 Skilled Trades Lobby Day on June 27. Members met with the Governor’s office, Senate President Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, and other legislators and aides, seeking their support for increased funding to address deferred maintenance at the universities, and to urge them to pass AB 1231, the bill to restore step increases for CSU workers.
Governor Brown signed the State Budget earlier that morning that included $35 million for each university for deferred maintenance.
“Today the entire Legislature saw that the Teamsters were in the house and they heard our message loud and clear,” said Jason Rabinowitz, Local 2010 Secretary-Treasurer. “Skilled Trades Teamsters work hard to keep UC and CSU running safely. But, to do our jobs, we need to be properly staffed, correctly classified, and fairly compensated. We need to pass AB 1231 to restore fair compensation to CSU workers, and make a real commitment to funding the huge maintenance backlog at our great universities.”
“We have to understand that we have a voice in Sacramento,” said Drew Scott, Facilities Control Specialist, Fresno State University. “The Capitol doesn’t belong to the legislators; the Capitol belongs to the people. Just like our Union is made up of people, so is the Capitol and we all need to be here to exercise our rights.”
“It was great to see Teamster power in action,” said Eduardo Rosales, from UC San Diego. “When our members come together like that, you can see the impact it has on the politicians we meet with.”
“It was a great experience for us and for the legislators because they got to learn what goes on at our campuses and the work we do,” said Keelan Roberts, Plumber at Cal State Northridge.
The Local thanks everyone who participated in this tremendous event. “We will continue to fight for the rights of skilled trades members and the passage of AB 1231,” said Rabinowitz. “When we stand together, we win together.”
