‘Broken promises.’ Cal State workers berate trustees over wage hike cancellation

When Catherine Hutchinson opened an email from Cal State management, it delivered a jarring message: the university system lacked the financial resources to honor contracts for salary step increases and cost-of-living adjustments, despite the state’s offer of zero-interest loans to assist.

“I let them know that our position is that we can work together and get this done,” said Hutchinson, president of the California State University Employees Union and a biology technician at California State University Channel Islands. “And they immediately went, ‘Oh no, this is bad, we may even experience layoff notices and more things because we don’t feel this was a fully funded budget towards us.’”

That decision by the university system has ignited a backlash from unions representing more than 80,000 California State University faculty, staff and skilled trade workers. They accuse CSU leadership of going back on promised raises after the unions successfully advocated for crucial state funding.

Those accusations were leveled again at a press conference held Tuesday before the system’s July Board of Trustees meeting, the first since the governor signed the state budget in late June.

During the meeting, more than 25 union members approached the board with their frustrations.

Ron Lopez, a plumber at CSU Channel Islands, said he was counting on the raises to support his family. He juggles multiple jobs while being on call at CSU Channel Islands or, as he put it, he’s “the guy that shows up, if no one shows up” for campus emergencies.

“The money that went through helped my family tremendously,” he said referring to past salary increases. “I’m counting on it this time.”

The unions argue that the CSU’s decision not to honor contracts is particularly galling considering the efforts unions made to secure state funding.

The Cal State system initially faced a proposed 8% budget cut, or about $375 million, from state funding in January 2025. But union leaders say advocacy efforts by groups including the California State University Employees Union, Teamsters Local 2010, and the California Faculty Association led to a significant reduction of that cut.

“Our union members across the state are the ones who protected ongoing state funding for the CSU. Because of that work, the CSU no longer faces an ongoing cut of 3% to its base funding,” said Margarita Berta Avila, president of the California Faculty Association. The initial proposed cut of 8 percent was cut to 3 percent.

Elaine Bernal, associate vice president of the faculty association and the parent of two children who attend California state universities, also cited that lobbying campaign.

“Now the message is to replenish the working class who advocated for you,” Bernal said.

CSU Trustee Julia Lopez acknowledged the “broken promises” cited by speakers at the meeting and credited the employees for making a “huge, huge difference” with the budget.

But CSU leaders maintained that their decision honored all labor agreements and was the result of challenging financial realities.

An FAQ on the Cal State website noted: “While we are grateful to have avoided the $375 million cut proposed in January, avoiding a cut is not the same as receiving new, ongoing funding.”

Patrick Lenz, CSU Chancellor’s Office interim executive vice chancellor of finance and chief financial officer, emphasized the risk of choosing the zero-interest loan option.

“My concern, and I think rightfully so, is how do we pay it back,” he told trustees.

In response to the university’s notification, the CSU employees union, Teamsters Local 2010 and the California Faculty Association have filed grievances and unfair labor practice complaints.

Jason Rabinowitz, secretary-treasurer of Local 2010, delivered a warning to the board.

“If the CSU continues its misguided attempt to take away promised raises from our members,” he said, “then you will find yourself in an expensive and disruptive legal and economic battle with the Teamsters Union that will cost many times more than the small amount that you may expect to save from stealing raises that were promised to workers.”

This story was originally published July 23, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "‘Broken promises.’ Cal State workers berate trustees over wage hike cancellation."