Picketers took to Fresno State’s campus as part of the state-wide strike put on by the Teamsters Local 2010, a union for California State University’s (CSU) skilled workers. The strike was from Feb. 17-20.
According to an agreement between the union and CSU, skilled trades workers were set to get an overall salary increase.
However, due to California’s recent base budget cut of $143.8 million, CSU did not follow through with the salary increase. Instead, CSU Chancellor Mildred García has offered to give a one-time bonus that will be equal to 3% of an employee’s base pay.
Kevin Davis, a mechanical technician for six years at Fresno State, said that this was his first time participating in a strike.
“I’ve never been, like, a big union person until now,” Davis said. “Like, seeing the support of their brothers and sisters of the union has meant a lot.”
Due to the strike, the picketers will not be paid by the hour for the four days. However, the union is paying the strikers $150 a day. This does not cover the full wage of the strikers.
About 10 picketers were rallying on Shaw and Maple avenues near the Kremen School of Education and Human Development building throughout the week.
Brent Gerken, an automotive equipment mechanic for 10 years at Fresno State, said that this was his first time partaking in any type of strike, too.
“At first it was different, but now I kind of understand why we’re doing it, why we have to do it,” Gerken said. “Hopefully [the strike] open up the eyes of the higher-ups to see we do care and we care about our jobs, we’re all here for the students and we should all be on the same team.”
Gerken said that the picketers have one goal, which is to have their original contract, which included a salary increase, honored by the CSU.
“It [the salary increase] would be immensely helpful, [I’ll] be able to help towards the family, and I have a new baby boy on the way,” Gerken said.
Arlan Hartmann, automotive equipment mechanic for 11 years at Fresno State, shared a similar sentiment in regard to the salary increase.
“Everything has gone up,” Hartmann said. “It will just help maintain your standard of living.”
When asked for his opinion on President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval’s salary increase, Gerken said that it “stings a bit.”
“We understand that they have their jobs to do, and so when they tell us no to our raises, but then give themselves raises, it’s kind of like, ‘I thought we’re all on the same team,’” Gerken said.
Davis said that Jiménez-Sandoval had talked with the strikers while they were handing out flyers.
“He’s a nice guy, I like him personally,” Davis said. “He supports us by the way.”
According to Lisa Bell, public information officer for Fresno State, the university has no additional comments regarding the strike beyond what was said in a campus-wide email on Feb. 13.
As of Feb. 20, the CSU has not made a statement regarding the strike.