California State University skilled trade workers, including carpenters and electricians, have begun a four-day unfair labor practice strike after not receiving contractually agreed upon raises in July 2025.

“CSU is dishonestly trying to use a legal loophole to withhold our raises, falsely stating that it did not receive adequate funding because some of the budgeted funds were deferred to subsequent years,” Teamsters Local 2010 said in a statement. The union represents 1,100 workers across the CSU system.

A five-year contract between CSU and Teamsters agreed that annual 5% salary increases were contingent on state funding.

Last year, the state budget included a 3% reduction for the CSU, totaling about $144 million. To compensate, the state provided a one-time loan of the same amount, but it has to be paid back by July 1.

The union says CSU is fully funded because of the loan and can give the raises to workers.

But CSU asserts that the loan cannot be used to support ongoing salary increases. CSU used the money for one-time payments to employees.

“We are bargaining in good faith with Teamsters Local 2010 and remain committed to continuing negotiations in an effort to reach a mutually acceptable agreement,” the CSU Chancellor’s Office said in a statement. “While we hoped a strike could be avoided, we respect employees’ rights under the law.”

Fresno State Remains Open During Picketing

Teamster members will be picketing until Friday after a strike authorization vote passed by 94% in December.

Locally, those striking have positioned themselves at the Maple Avenue entrance to Fresno State.

The university will remain open with instruction and student services continuing as usual, president Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval said in a statement.

“We remain fully committed to supporting your academic progress and ensuring that you have access to the resources and services you need,” it states. “At the same time, we respect the rights of our employees as this process moves forward.”

This is not the first time Teamsters Local 2010 has led strikes over this issue. In late 2023, union members pushing for pay increases led multiple strikes before the CSU agreed to the increases.

CSU Presidents Get Raise Amidst Disputes

Teamsters has filed two separate unfair labor practices with the California Public Employment Relations Board alleging “bad faith negotiations.”

The dispute intensified after the CSU board of trustees approved 5% to 20% pay raises for university presidents in November and vice chancellors in January.

“CSU was virtually the only public employer in California to give no raises to any workers in 2025 – except for huge increases to overpaid executives – despite continuing increases in our cost of living,” the teamsters said in a statement.

The market-based pay increases were necessary to recruit and retain top administrators, according to CSU.

Jiménez-Sandoval received a 10% raise that increased his annual base pay to $523,617.

Additionally, CSU created performance bonuses and increased retirement benefits and housing stipends.