This is the time to stand together.
Dear Sisters and Brothers:
There have been many questions, and emotions, since the announcement last week that our Steps Bill AB 369 has been placed "on hold." Some took the news to mean the legislation was 1. "Dead" or 2. We have failed.
Neither could be further from the truth.
Today, I bring you a direct message from the bill's author, Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber (D-San Diego): "Right now, we are in a favorable position for success. AB 369 has overwhelming bipartisan support from my colleagues in the Legislature, the CSU has had several unflattering audits exposing its financial and personnel issues, and, for the first time, a Governor is personally standing with us on this issue. The CSU is on its heels."
You can read Dr. Weber's full message here.
The "on hold" status of AB 369 simply means we can re-activate the bill any time during the next legislative session. For the first time in 23 years since the CSU unilaterally withheld merit pay for Support Staff, we have a governor who is willing to order the University to negotiate with the CSUEU in good faith to restore salary steps.
Put another way, with AB 369 still very much a viable option that could be triggered at any time, the CSU enters negotiations forced to demonstrate a willingness to reach a mutually agreeable and fair contract with support staff.
There is more information here in our FAQ sheet.
I call on all of us to stick together, continue what we started and fight for our steps. Our CSUEU Negotiating Team is in the beginning stages of developing a plan to win a fair and decent contract in 2020. Let's show our solidarity, support our Negotiating Team, and get our steps back!
In Solidarity, Neil Jacklin, CSUEU President
