Undergraduate students across the California State University system have filed a petition to form a union that would represent over 10,000 California student workers.
The petition, filed on Monday, demands better working conditions, including healthcare, higher wages, more paid time off, and more work hours. Over 4,000 student workers have signed union authorization cards, indicating their support for the move.
The president of the California State University Employees Union, Catherine Hutchinson, spoke at a news conference on Monday, stating that students “work because they have to” and need the money to support themselves. She also criticized the CSU for exploiting this labor pool instead of providing resources to help the students’ lives easier.
A spokesperson for CSU, Amy Bentley-Smith, said that the university recognizes all workers’ right to organize and that they look forward to engaging the student workers in the event they are formally recognized by the California Public Employment Relations Board.
The push for student worker unions comes as part of a broader movement across American universities, with student workers at institutions such as Harvard, Columbia, and Georgetown all seeking to unionize. The movement aims to improve working conditions and wages for student workers who often face precarious employment and low pay.
Labor Law Advocates can provide legal assistance and guidance to student workers looking to unionize or improve their employment conditions. If you or someone you know needs help with an employment law case in California, contact our award-winning employment lawyers today.
