CSUSB Trades Workers Strike Feb. 17 After CSU Denies Contract Pay Steps

Maintenance workers represented by Teamsters Local 2010 will picket after CSU leadership approved executive raises but denied negotiated pay increases.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Faculty, staff and students at Cal State San Bernardino rallied on Feb. 5 in support of campus maintenance and skilled trades workers who are preparing to strike from Feb. 17 to Feb. 20 after the California State University system denied negotiated pay raises while approving higher pay for executives. The union representing approximately 1,100 skilled trades employees across the 22-campus CSU system, including electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians and other facilities workers, says the workers are seeking raises they believe were already secured through contract negotiations.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between university leadership and the workers responsible for maintaining campus infrastructure and operations. Maintenance workers perform essential functions necessary for campus safety and operations, but the CSU system is denying them negotiated pay increases while approving raises for executives.

The details

Maintenance workers represented by Teamsters Local 2010 are scheduled to picket from Feb. 17 through Feb. 20 after voting overwhelmingly to authorize what union leaders described as an unfair labor practice strike. The union says workers are seeking raises they believe were already secured through contract negotiations, but the CSU is denying them a 3% raise in the third year of their contract. Union leaders say the dispute centers on negotiated salary increases that CSU leadership has declined to implement, offering instead a one-time payment, which does not provide lasting compensation gains.

  • The CSUSB trades workers strike is scheduled for Feb. 17 through Feb. 20, 2026.
  • The 'Let Them Eat Cake' rally in support of the workers was held on Feb. 5, 2026.

The players

Teamsters Local 2010

The union representing approximately 1,100 skilled trades employees across the 22-campus California State University system, including electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians and other facilities workers.

Ernesto Torres

A CSUSB facilities project supervisor and vice president of Teamsters Local 2010.

Mildred Garcia

The chancellor of the California State University system.

Thomas Corrigan

A communication and media faculty member at CSUSB and vice president of the California Faculty Association's San Bernardino chapter.

Tiffany Jones

A professor of history and president of the California Faculty Association's San Bernardino chapter.

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What they’re saying

“We had already bargained a contract that would fulfill a 3% raise in our third year of our contract. The state budget has come back positive and the CSU is still denying us that 3%. That's why we are pushing back.”

— Ernesto Torres, CSUSB facilities project supervisor and vice president of Teamsters Local 2010 (iecn.com)

“They had a negotiated contract with the CSU that Chancellor Mildred Garcia is not honoring. What were supposed to be step increases for their contract, they're not getting those raises, and instead they're being offered a one-time 3% bonus, which might help in the short run but doesn't help with long-term salary and affordability issues, doesn't help with their retirement, it doesn't help them build toward sustainability and security.”

— Thomas Corrigan, Communication and media faculty member at CSUSB and vice president of the California Faculty Association's San Bernardino chapter (iecn.com)

“We have administrators who make massive amounts. Millie Garcia is our chancellor and she makes up to a million dollars a year. And then we have workers who have negotiated pay increases that she is refusing to give them. They are only offering a 3% bonus, which is not on top of your pay. It doesn't actually increase your pay.”

— Tiffany Jones, Professor of history and president of the California Faculty Association's San Bernardino chapter (iecn.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.