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By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media
The California Faculty Association (CFA), the union representing faculty at California State University (CSU) schools has voted to authorize a strike if it cannot reach a deal with the 23-campus system’s administration.
CFA represents approximately 29,000 professors, lecturers, coaches, and other faculty across the state.
“Cal State voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, if necessary,” said Charles Toombs, a professor and former chairperson of Africana Studies at San Diego State University (SDSU) and the union’s president, during a virtual press conference Oct 30. “Members are emphatic that low pay, growing workloads, and systematic inequalities are not sustainable.
The union pushed for 12% across-the-board increases this fiscal year, but CSU offered 12% over the next three years. When CFA refused to consider a multi-year offer, the CSU offered a one-year GSI of 5%. CFA then declared an impasse within 40 minutes of receiving this offer.
“We are still moving through the statutory process. CFA members plan on bringing our demands and solidarity to trustees and new Chancellor Mildred García at the November 7 CSU Board of Trustees meeting in Long Beach,” read a press release from CFA.
“CSU management says they can’t afford our re-opener proposals, but a CFA fiscal analysis shows otherwise. The CSU has been hoarding billions of dollars in reserves instead of investing in faculty and staff who work directly with our students. Their investment in administrative personnel is increasing while their investment in instructional support continues to shrink,” it continued.
In the fall of 2022, 18,308 Black or African American students (4.0%) were enrolled in the CSU system. Overall, the CSU system. The CSU system is comprised of 23 universities with nearly 500,000 students.
