Let’s recognize all we do for CSU, UC this Skilled Trades Day!

Dear Skilled Trades Teamsters,

Today, National Skilled Trades Day, we recognize and celebrate the critical work our Skilled Trades Teamsters do for the CSU and UC every day. Our so often under-appreciated work keeps the UC and the CSU running and ensures the mission of our state’s most prominent higher education systems every day.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, our ranks of more than 2,400 Skilled Trades Teamsters across California have risked our health and the health of our families to get our jobs done. Our commitment, sacrifice, and unity give us the power to fight and win the fair pay, good raises, and respect and dignity in the workplace that every Teamster deserves.

As inflation skyrockets and the housing crisis grows worse and worse, our fight is more important than ever. Many of us live paycheck-to-paycheck in the most expensive state in the country. Every member who has joined a picket, worn a sticker, signed a petition, or lobbied campus leadership should be proud of our solidarity with fellow members. All this year we have shown up strong and united, picketing at dozens of campuses across the state, and we know that university leaders have noticed and felt that impact.

Across the country, employers are recognizing the power of workers and the UC and CSU are no different. As bargaining continues on contracts for Unit 6 Teamsters at CSU and Skilled Trades Teamsters at UC Davis, UCLA, and UC San Diego, the strength of our Union through the solidarity of our membership will be a powerful force in every negotiation.

Let’s take a moment to give ourselves a pat on the back for the good work we do every day and the dedication we show to our Teamsters brothers and sisters through our Union. Today we celebrate and tomorrow we fight.