Cal Poly Humboldt Teamsters Prepare for Feb. 17-20 Strike Over CSU Raises

Teamsters Local 2010 members who represent skilled trades at Cal Poly Humboldt are preparing to picket Feb. 17-20 as part of a systemwide labor dispute over promised salary raises and step increases. The union says the California State University system promised three annual 5% salary raises and salary step increases in 2024 and did not implement the increases in July 2025, citing a contract clause tied to legislative funding.

The dispute centers on campus-level skilled trades workers but is structured as a coordinated action across the CSU system. Teamsters Local 2010 listed picket locations, start times and on-site contacts for multiple campuses; the Cal Poly Humboldt entry gives the campus address as 1 Harpst St, Arcata, with the housing picket at Granite Ave and LK Wood Blvd from 5:00AM to 3:00PM and contact Dale Crane at (714) 944-3920. Teamsters Local 2010 also scheduled a rally at San Francisco State with Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 11:00AM.

CSU has tied its implementation of the raises to state funding levels. The system reported it was about $144 million short of full funding and said the state offered a short-term, interest-free $144 million loan. CSU has argued that accepting the loan “doesn’t meet their definition of being fully funded” and has instead proposed a one-time bonus equal to 3% of each employee’s salary. The CSU statement provided to the campus said, “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 statement added, “While we hope a strike can be avoided, we respect employees’ rights under the law.”

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Marketing and Communications department emphasized that bargaining happens at the system level, not with the individual campus, saying, “It’s important to note that bargaining negotiations happen at a system level, not with the individual campuses.” The department also underscored campus continuity, stating, “Skilled trades employees are important members of the campus community. We all share a commitment to providing a positive educational experience for our students, and Cal Poly Humboldt values the important work our employees do every day to make this possible. The University does not anticipate disruptions to student services. We will remain open, and classes will continue as scheduled during any strike activity.”

Locally, the Cal Poly Humboldt Teamsters chapter lists 26 dues-paying members and represents another 10 employees who have not signed up as members. A chapter steward and locksmith, Phillip Bradley, addressed the Arcata City Council during a public comment period to warn residents and visitors about the expected pickets and to apologize for any inconveniences.

Campus labor history shows prior strike preparations; in January 2024 local activists prepared signs and planned a Jan. 22-26 walkout, demonstrating an ongoing pattern of bargaining tensions at the university. For Arcata residents and campus users, expect early-morning picket activity at the housing entrance on Harpst Street and the Granite Avenue-LK Wood Boulevard intersection during Feb. 17-20. Negotiations continue as the system and the union prepare for the scheduled action; the outcome will determine whether the planned mid-February pickets proceed or are averted.