Dear Colleagues,
Last week the CSU decided to pursue the $144 million loan as specified in the 2025-2026 State Budget Act. This welcome news gives us pause to put in perspective the “State of our Union”, so to speak, and reflect on our achievements, remaining challenges and other news in what has been a long and, often, difficult year.
CALIFORNIA BUDGET: We started 2025 with news that the Governor planned a $375 million cut to the University. This proposed cut would have seriously disrupted operations requiring layoffs across the system. However, APC and our Union allies were able to eliminate most of the cuts and, as of this writing, no permanent Unit 4 employee has been laid off. The Union victory was achieved through our letter writing campaign and actions at the Board of Trustees meetings in Long Beach as well as active lobbying at the State Capitol. We are all indebted to one another for rising to the occasion in this important endeavor.
BARGAINING WITH THE CSU: We met informally with the CSU last Friday to inquire about the impact of the State loan on our bargaining and, while we are cautiously optimistic the framework for an agreement is possible, we will need to gather more information to ensure our Unit fares well in the new financial outlook. The state loan and potential bargaining outcome will be amply discussed by APC’s statewide leadership at its approaching Council meeting later this week.
CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP IN APC: Beginning in June 2026, APC will have a new president as I plan to retire in late 2026 and will not be running for office. In just a few days, at our final Council of this year, APC will begin the electoral process of statewide leaders for the 2026-2029 term of office. As it has been the case with every APC president after the loss of our salary steps more than 20 years ago, I will be stepping down from this role with the personal frustration that they have not been restored to as of YET. However, I am confident that new leadership with the requisite elan and novel ideas will successfully guide our Union through this, and other emerging issues.
Please know the entire leadership of APC is in a constant state of deliberation trying to find ways to benefit you. We will keep you abreast of any developments as they occur.
In Union,
Dagoberto Argueta
APC President