When one CSU union is asked to fight for its contract, all of us should pay attention.
A new bill, AB 1818, introduced by Assemblymember Liz Ortega at the request of Teamsters Local 2010, addresses a serious issue affecting CSU employees statewide. At its core, the bill would require the CSU to honor collective bargaining agreements, even when the administration claims there are not enough funds.
For union members, this is about more than policy language. It is about trust, accountability, and protecting the integrity of contracts that workers negotiate in good faith.
What Is Happening?
The CSU has relied on statutory language within the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act to reopen negotiations and refuse agreed-upon raises when state budget funding does not fully align with contract terms.
Current law allows memoranda of understanding to be referred back to the parties if funding is not fully provided.
In practice, this has meant:
- Raises agreed to in 2024 collective bargaining agreements have been withheld
- Negotiations have been reopened
- Approximately 16,000 workers have been affected
For Teamsters Local 2010 members, this has led to a planned week-long strike.
For the broader CSU community, it raises a serious concern: What does a contract truly guarantee if it can be reopened after it is signed?
Why AB 1818 Was Introduced
AB 1818 seeks to eliminate the statutory provision that allows the CSU to walk back collective bargaining agreements due to budget claims.
The bill would ensure that:
- CSU negotiates in good faith
- Contractually agreed-upon raises are honored
- The state budget cannot be used as a reason to reopen signed agreements
The state has maintained a five-year budget compact increasing CSU base funding annually. CSU also holds significant reserves.
For many workers, the issue is not whether funding is complex. It is whether signed agreements should be respected.
Why This Matters to APC Members
APC recently secured a new three-year contract through June 2027.
That agreement represents months of organizing, negotiations, and collective action. It reflects the strength of our membership and the power of standing together.
AB 1818 matters because it reinforces a simple principle: A contract should mean what it says.
When one union’s contract is challenged, it sets a precedent that can ripple across the system. Protecting collective bargaining agreements protects all CSU employees.
This is about:
- Stability for workers
- Predictability for campuses
- Respect for the bargaining process
- Continuity of student support services
When contracts are honored, campuses function more smoothly. When they are not, students experience service disruptions, construction delays, and operational slowdowns.
As Unit 4 professionals, we know how essential our roles are in recruitment, advising, outreach, financial aid, student support, and career development. Stability in our working conditions directly impacts the students we serve.
Solidarity Across CSU
Teamsters Local 2010 represents skilled trades and operational workers across CSU. Their work supports the physical and operational infrastructure of our campuses.
When they call for support, it is not just about wages. It is about defending the principle that negotiated agreements must be upheld.
Our Council has endorsed AB 1818. That endorsement signals solidarity across unions and recognition that this issue affects the entire CSU workforce.
Collective bargaining only works when both parties honor the outcome.
What Members Can Do
Solidarity does not always require dramatic action. Sometimes it starts with awareness and visible support.
APC members can:
- Stay informed about AB 1818 and its progress
- Support Teamsters Local 2010 members during their strike week
- Participate in solidarity actions on your campus if organized
- Talk with colleagues about why honoring contracts matters
Strong labor relations benefit everyone. The Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act recognizes the public’s interest in cooperative labor relations between higher education institutions and their employees.
That principle is worth defending.
Standing Together
APC exists to protect Unit 4 employees and strengthen our ability to serve students.
AB 1818 is about protecting the integrity of collective bargaining across the CSU system. It reinforces the principle that when workers negotiate and ratify agreements, those agreements must be honored.
Our Council has endorsed AB 1818 because stable labor agreements protect workers, campuses, and the students we serve.
If you have questions about solidarity efforts on your campus or would like to get involved, contact your local APC steward.