The California Faculty Association held a 10-day vote to decide whether or not the 25,000 faculty members would strike.
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It is at least the fourth that the California Faculty Association has held in eight years. President Jennifer Eagan said during a news conference at San Jose State University. “The vision of CSU, who it serves and what its future can be is also at stake”.
As Eagan wrote the vote percentage on a large version of the actual ballot, CSU faculty members in the room tore off jackets and other coverings to reveal red t-shirts bearing the slogan “I Don’t Want to Strike But I Will”. Another vote is required to effectively strike.
The strike vote puts pressure on California State University to reach an agreement with the union, as the two sides have been in salary talks since May.
Staff members are now seeking a five-percent pay raise, along with a 2.7-percent pay bump based on years of service. “We’re asking for 5 percent for everybody, the Chancellor has offered 2 percent, which is a figure that doesn’t even keep up with inflation for faculty and doesn’t even begin to dig us out of the hole that faculty has suffered the last 10 years”. The CSU remains committed to the collective bargaining process and reaching a negotiated agreement with the CFA.. The rally is scheduled to specifically take place during the CSU Board of Trustee public meeting.
Bargaining team chairman Kevin Wehr said management has looked bored and distracted during negotiations. I am willing to accept the Chancellor’s last offer of 2%. “That’s why faculty were the only group of employees to receive salary increases and tenure-track salary promotions during the recession years. A strike is not in the best interest of CSU students”. The buying power of professors has declined, she said. “It doesn’t even show up in your paycheck”.
Eagan, a professor at Cal State East Bay, said the hiring of instructors has not kept up with the increase of student enrollment, and that CSU spending on instruction has decreased.
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The CSU Chancellor’s Office is located at 401 Golden Shore in Long Beach.
