Apr 16 2012
California Faculty Association Ups the Ante With Strike Vote
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The privatization of public education and stagnant wages are two reasons why California State University Faculty are considering a strike. Starting today and going for two weeks, the 23,000 members of the California Faculty Association at 23 campuses statewide will vote on whether their union board may authorize a strike if contract negotiations fail. CSU administration and the union have been in contract talks for 18 months, during which the union called a one-day strike in November at two symbolically important campuses: in Dominguez Hills and the East Bay.
But the CFA announced last week that talks had broken down. To approve a strike action 51% or more of the unionized faculty must vote in favor. In a statement the CFA cited three major sticking points in negotiations: First, at a time when course offerings are being cut, the Cal State Chancellor is accused of expanding the for-profit arm of the CSU, the so-called extension program, under which students pay more for each class and faculty are paid less to teach them.
Second, the union also charges that the Chancellor’s proposed contract allows for an increase in class sizes beyond what faculty consider appropriate, and that the Chancellor will not approve salary increases nor will he guarantee that salaries and benefits won’t be cut in the future.
And third, the CSU administration has been under public pressure to tighten its own belt in the past year. In July the Board was criticized by students and faculty for approving a $400,000 annual salary for the incoming San Diego State University president at the same meeting where they voted to increase CSU tuition by 12%. The Board later conceded to cap the salaries of incoming Presidents to 10% above what their predecessor was paid. Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson has called for a CSU executive salary freeze to be discussed at the May 9th Board meeting.
GUEST: Lillian Taiz, President of the California Faculty Association and a professor of history at Cal State Los Angeles
Visit www.calfac.org for more information.
One Response to “California Faculty Association Ups the Ante With Strike Vote”
Good for the faculty union for standing up to those greedy administrators! The CSU Chancellor and Presidents continue to line each others pockets with greedy personal indulgences during the worst economic recession in decades. Their greed and back door deals have always come at the cost of faculty, staff, students and families. We need to unite to fight for the right to access equitable education in California. Tell Charles Reed and the campus Presidents to give back their salary increases!