Teamsters strike CSU campuses statewide
May 4, 2026
After four days of powerful, statewide action – including walking the picket line in the pouring rain and even hail at some Northern California campuses – Teamsters Local 2010 Skilled Trades workers’ strike across 22 California State University (CSU) campuses has delivered a clear message: CSU workers are united and will not accept CSU’s broken promises.
Beginning February 17, 1,100 skilled trades workers — electricians, plumbers, mechanics, painters, locksmiths, and other essential tradespeople — walked off the job across every CSU campus. The strike disrupted campus operations, delayed maintenance and facilities work, and generated an extraordinary wave of public support and political pressure on CSU leadership.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien joined the Local 2010 picket line on February 17 in San Francisco.
“I’m incredibly proud of the strength, determination and leadership our members showed during our historic strike last week. We had virtually universal compliance with our strike,” said Jason Rabinowitz, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 2010. “Our members stood strong and ran effective, disciplined pickets at every location – even in the face of CSU’s lies and intimidation, in the face of rain, wind, cold, snow and even hail. We showed CSU power like they have never seen before and exposed CSU’s greed and mistreatment of workers for the whole world to see. With the power we have built through our strike, we will continue our fight for fair pay at CSU until we win!”
Joint Council 7 Local Unions joined 1,100 Local 2010 CSU Skilled Trades members on their
four-day statewide strike in February.
Nearly two dozen state and local elected officials sent letters directly to CSU Chancellor Mildred García demanding the university honor its contractual commitments and immediately provide workers the raises they are owed. Students, faculty, labor allies, and community members joined picket lines and rallies from the Bay Area to Los Angeles to the Central Coast.
The strike has energized and empowered workers across the CSU system. Members returned from the picket lines more united than ever and determined to secure the raises they earned. Lawmakers are also working to hold CSU accountable with newly introduced legislation to close a loophole in the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA) that CSU has exploited to withhold the raises workers earned.
Teamsters Local 2010 began negotiating a successor contract with the CSU in March. With momentum building and worker solidarity at an all-time high, members are prepared to continue the fight for fair pay, respect, and dignity on the job.
