CSU Student Assistants Hold Unionizing Vote

Student assistants on all 23 CSU campuses have been organizing to create the largest undergraduate student workers union in U.S. history.

On January 25, student assistants began casting votes on whether they want to unionize and become members of the California State University Employees Union (CSUEU). Voting ends on February 22

“These students believe so strongly in the united power of workers, and they are right to do so,” said CFA President Charles Toombs. “Not only have our members shown what solidarity can do, but we have shown how much stronger we are when we work in coalition with other labor unions as well. We expect an overwhelming ‘Yes’ vote as students continue their fight for justice and a real change for a better future.”

Like our faculty members, CSU student workers have experienced unfair treatment at the hands of CSU management. They have been underappreciated and underpaid as essential campus workers. CSU management has shifted more staff work onto student assistants who are lower paid but have their hours capped at 20 hours per week to prevent them from receiving benefits.

Recognizing that student work is real work, CSUEU President Catherine Hutchinson said, “Student assistants and staff are coming together to reform a broken system and fight for the equity that CSU stands for. When student assistants win their election and form their union with CSUEU, we will work together to empower and invest in workers across the entirety of the CSU.”

As CFA members, we strongly support CSU student assistants’ right to unionize and recognize the hard work they do to keep the CSU running. We want students, especially those who are underrepresented and underserved, to feel empowered and have their voices heard on their respective campuses.