Cal Poly employees, representing the California State University Employees Union (CSUEU), delivered a petition to Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong’s office demanding a fair first contract for student assistants on Monday.
The six employees unfurled a 26-foot scroll of petition signatures supporting the student workers in front of the Administration Building (BLDG. 1) before delivering it to Armstrong’s office.
Members of the CSUEU across 17 California State University (CSU) campuses delivered petitions on Monday and Tuesday to their respective campus presidents, according to CSUEU Spokesperson Khanh Weinberg.
Unit 15 (student assistants) of the CSUEU are heading into their first contract negotiation with the CSU. Some of their demands include higher pay, parking benefits, paid sick time and holiday pay, according to CSUEU’s website.
“The CSU seeks to fairly compensate all of its valued employees, including student assistants,” said CSU Spokesperson Hazel Kelly. “As we continue to exchange proposals in good faith, we are hopeful to find [an] agreement that serves both our student assistant employees and our wider campus communities within the funding constraints that the CSU is facing.”
The California State Board of Trustees reported an approximate $400 million gap during a public meeting in September.
The goal of this demonstration was to signify the need for support in contract negotiations, said Michael Aponte, CSUEU organizing chair and instructional support technician.
“We want to urge President Armstrong to, at the next chancellor’s meeting, support us and support our student assistants,” Aponte said.
The CSUEU is especially concerned about contract negotiations due to potential “belt-tightening,” according to Aponte.
“Each university is exploring options to make strategic decisions that will narrow and bridge budget gaps, which can include a wide range of cost-reduction strategies,” Kelly said.
As negotiations continue, Kelly said, “The CSU respects the right of our labor unions to engage in freedom of expression.”