This is part two in a series of dispatches as News Editor Seamus Bozeman follows developments about the Teamsters Local 2010 strike at Cal State LA and across the CSU system this week. Read the first report here: Dispatch #1: The origins of the strike and day one on the picket line 

The Teamsters Local 2010 strike entered its second day, of four at all 22 CSU campuses, including at Cal State LA, where union allies and the Teamsters continued to picket, chant and block roadways.

Dennis Sotomayor, the chief steward of Teamsters Local 2010 at Cal State LA said that the vibe on the lines across campus was “healthy and strong” and the mood within the 2010 group was “very positive.” 

“We were blessed with clear weather,” Sotomayor said. “They’re [referring to his fellow Teamsters] happy about that. We’re not being rained on.” 

On day one, only a single entrance was fully blocked, but today Teamsters Local 2010 members stopped both main campus entrances at Circle Drive and Paseo Rancho Castilla, and again at the Welcome Center. At each entrance and exit point, Local 2010 and allies were only letting two to four cars in at a time. 

A third picket line was put up early on Wednesday morning after cars were being “redirected” and let into campus at Campus Road and Circle Drive by Cal State LA Public Safety, according to various Teamsters members at the new picket line. However, the accusation could not be independently verified by the UT. 

At the new picket line on Circle Drive and Campus Road, Sotomayor was hit by a vehicle that ran through the human barricade, but was uninjured. No others that were on that picket line were hurt either. Sotomayor condemned the incident, filed a report with University Police, provided a statement and plans to press felony assault with a deadly weapon charges against the perpetrator. 

Local 2010, again saw around 50% participation of the 38 represented at Cal State LA on the picket line on day two. 

The California Faculty Association, the CSU Employees Union and Teamsters Local 630 joined the Teamsters Local 2010 on the lines across campus this morning. 

Teamsters Local 630 represents workers in various industries, including clerical, warehouse, professional drivers and other similar roles. 

“We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters working at the CSU and we urge our followers not to cross their picket lines,” Local 630 said in an Instagram post, accompanied by videos and photos of them marching at Cal State LA alongside Local 2010. 

Sotomayor said that there has been no movement at the negotiation table and that the strike will last all four days. 

“Not especially with the statement that they [the CSU] made saying that they’re holding us like we’re the hold up,” Sotomayor said. 

Since the strike began on Tuesday, the CSU said in a statement that Local 2010 has failed to keep their agreements on the current contract. 

“It is unfortunate that the Teamsters is advancing false claims to justify a strike, harming both their members and the broader university community,” the CSU said in the statement. “The CSU has been bargaining in good faith, and we urge the Teamsters to honor their commitment and return to the table.​”

At least one truck, presumably carrying dairy products or drinks, turned around in solidarity with those on strike while the UT was on the Teamsters Local 2010 picket lines this morning. It is not clear if this truck driver was a member of Local 630 or another Teamsters Local in the SoCal region.

Teamsters representatives added that at least one or two truck deliveries were turned around on day one, and at least a “few” on the second day. The Teamsters could not provide an estimate on if any students or faculty had turned around or not come to campus. 

Classes were not affected by strike activities, but some students complained both online and in classrooms about being delayed getting to school and getting “stuck in traffic” or missing assignments or tests. But, some commenters urged those getting angry at the traffic to redirect their frustration at the CSU and to instead focus on ensuring that “workers get what they deserve.” 

Cal State LA Spokesperson Erik Hollins says that students experiencing difficulty accessing class should “reach out to their faculty member to see what flexibility is available for missed information or assignments.” 

Any students struggling to make arrangements with their professors are advised to reach out to the Office of the Dean of Students, who are set up to work through any of those issues, Hollins added. 

One member of the community was riding a one-wheel (a one-wheel is an electric scooter type vehicle), carrying an open laptop, continuously trading barbs with picketing union members as they rode by, returning multiple times, zipping by, throughout the course of the morning. 

Another yelled out from their car, “you’ll be fired” at the Teamsters as they waited to be let through. The right to strike is codified by being a part of a union, according to the National Labor Relations Board. 

But, the reception for the Teamsters Local 2010 on the roadways wasn’t all negative; supporters honked their horns, raised their fists and yelled messages of encouragement as they drove by. One cyclist early on in the day dropped by doughnuts to the Teamsters on the line. Some donated water, or other snacks. 

A film crew was on-campus all day filming near the main walkway that had been set up before the picket line began earlier this morning, and the teamsters did not force the production to shut down. However, those involved in the strike gave flyers and educated crew members who were out working on the production. 

Hollins said it was a “brand advertisement shoot” and added that it was permitted through proper channels. No further details were provided about the filming. 

“Our strike is sanctioned, so through their locals they should be made aware,” Sotomayor said about the filming on-campus. “Of course the company is going to send them out here because it’s business. There’s finances that get affected.”