Teamsters protest for contract negotiation awareness on Skilled Trades Day

Marchers prioritize steps for pay increase and keeping CSU contract work in-house

May 3, 2023

Representatives from Teamsters Local 2010 union protested on Sacramento State’s campus Wednesday to bring awareness of the California State University system’s current contract negotiations as part of Skilled Trades Day.

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Sac State #Teamsters want more than just acknowledgement on #SkilledTradesDay. We want respect, dignity, and FAIR PAY! Salary steps NOW! ✊✊ https://t.co/QNTaSsYNmH

— Teamsters Local 2010 (@IBTlocal2010) May 3, 2023

The union’s goal was to bring attention to the current contracts, which expire July 1, said Matthew Mason, a supervising automotive mechanic and bargaining team member for Teamsters. Members of Teamsters used May Day or International Workers Day, observed annually on May 1, to advocate for fair pay within the CSU system.

Effective July 1, 2022, the General Salary Increase of bargaining unit employees was set at 3%, according to Article 24 in the Bargaining Agreement with CSU.

Team members for Unit 6, the skilled trades section of the union, are advocating for improved compensation around proposed salary steps, along with keeping skilled trade work done within the CSU system in-house, said Mason.

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Video by Fernando Navarrete

“They are also promising no GSIs, no General Salary Increases for the year,” Mason said. “So it’s effective, for this year, they’re bargaining on average 1%.”

The current CSU average pay falls 12% below the market due to a lack of a step system and salary increases over time, according to a flier listing talking points used by members during the event.

A full original contract and updated extensions of the agreement can be found on the CSU and Teamsters’ websites.

Bargaining team members stressed the impact this has on students, staff and campuses as the CSU continues to delay investments into its workers. As outside contractors continue to be hired, campus workers are left with extra work and a stagnant wage.

“We do all the HVAC work, all the plumbing, all the electrical work, all the automotive work as well on campus and we fight to keep that work in-house,” Mason said. ”Every time a contractor comes on and does the work, we have to go behind them and correct it.”

The State Hornet’s Johnathan Rutz contributed to this story.

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Alyssa Branum, Visuals Editor

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Alyssa Branum, serving as visuals editor, is in her fourth semester working for The State Hornet and last semester at Sac State. Branum has won awards from the Associated Collegiate Press along with work published in the Sac Observer and SN&R. As a senior journalism major, Branum looks forward to utilizing creative outlets, working towards her photojournalism career and connecting with others on her journey.

Alesha Blaauw, Social Media Editor

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Alesha Blaauw is a senior majoring in political science and journalism. She joined The State Hornet in spring 2023 as a social media staffer and is now in her second semester of being a social media editor. She is always striving to find new ways to keep college students and the local audience connected to the news through social media strategies, designing engaging graphics and involving the campus community in various video series. She hopes to become a social media manager for a local publication or public officials.

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Fernando Navarrete studies journalism at Sac State. He is currently working with the visuals team at The State Hornet.