United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) demands justice for CSU workers laid off due to a supposed lack of work and/or money but we as CSU students, workers, and community members know this isn’t true. According to the State Auditor, as of June of 2018, CSU had a $1.5 billion surplus. This is relevant because we know our universities have been generating these surpluses by underpaying workers and collecting excess student tuition and fee revenue. This is a reality we as students face. For example, Fresno State recently reported that enrollment has increased over 5%, meaning that the university will continue overcharging and building a surplus on the backs of students they supposedly serve, all while they have laid off workers they claim they don’t have enough money or work to pay.

The CSU system received more than $525 million from the CARES Act federal stimulus, half going to students but the other half going to campus operations. CSU is now receiving more than $850 million in additional federal stimulus, with more than $590 million of that available to prevent further cuts and rescind the layoffs of its underpaid but essential staff.

Looking at the campuses, while Fresno State laid off 2 Skilled Trades workers making less than $60,000 a year, former Fresno State President and current CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro got a 30%, or roughly $150,000, raise over former Chancellor White. While San Francisco State moved to lay off more than 100 workers, the most in CSU history, citing a lack of funds, CSU also recently found money to give the new Presidents for CSU East Bay and Northridge 10% raises on already 6-figure pay.

Join us in calling for fairness and justice at the CSU by demanding they rescind the layoffs of their dedicated workers!