Cal State faculty end 1-day strike
Striking California State University faculty returned to work Jan. 23 after a surprise announcement Jan. 22 that their planned five-day walkout was ending after hammering out a deal with university management.
The strike across all 23 campuses lasted one day. It was called off after the California Faculty Association and CSU management reached a tentative agreement that calls for general salary increases and boosts parental leave by four weeks.
The deal ends the first system-wide faculty strike at one of the largest, fouryear public universities in the nation, with more than 460,000 students enrolled around the state. On Jan. 23, a steady stream of students through Cal State East Bay's central campus was a sign that school was back in session.
“This historic agreement was won because of members' solidarity, collective action, bravery and love for each other and our students,” said Antonio Gallo, CFA'S associate vice president of lecturers, south. “This is what people power looks like. This deal immensely improves working conditions for faculty and strengthens learning conditions for students.”
Ana Martinez, 22, a student at Cal State East Bay and a native of Oakland, said she supported her instructors and other staff who participated in the strike. “I'm happy that they were able to come to an agreement,” she said, adding that she was a little surprised the strike was over but glad to be back in class Jan. 23.
“I liked that my teachers kept me updated on what
was going on and why it was happening, rather than just saying, `We're not having class,' ” she said. “I liked how they were trying to really focus on students' mental health as well, and also advocating for the teachers … giving them proper pay, and livable wages, especially right now with inflation.”w
Highlights of the tentative agreement include a 5% general salary increase for all faculty members retroactive to July 1, 2023; a 5% general salary increase for all members on July 1, 2024 — contingent on the state's not cutting base funding to the system; a salary step increase of 2.65% for 202425; higher base pay for the lowest paid members; and a jump in parental leave from six to 10 weeks. In addition, the deal would extend the current contract for 2022-24 by one year to June 30, 2025.
“The new offer is contingent on no cuts to baseline (funding), and from what I understand, that is very unlikely,” said Ray Buyco, a senior lecturer at San Jose State.
The agreement also provides
more protection for faculty members who have dealings with law enforcement by providing for a union representative in those interactions and improves access to gender-inclusive restrooms and lactation spaces.
In a statement posted to the CSU website, CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia said she was “extremely pleased and deeply appreciative” that a deal had been reached.
“The agreement enables the CSU to fairly compensate its valued, world-class faculty while protecting the university system's longterm financial sustainability,” Garcia said.
“With the agreement in place,” the chancellor continued, “I look forward to advancing our student-centered work — together — as the nation's greatest driver of social mobility and the pipeline fueling California's diverse and educated workforce.”
Faculty members hit the picket lines in the rain Jan. 22. In downtown San Jose, 60 to 70 members gathered around the perimeter of San Jose State University where they rang bells, blew whistles and beat drums. A similar scene unfolded across the bay at Cal State East Bay.
“We're really intent on getting a salary increase that keeps us in pace with inflation,” Jennifer Eagan, faculty rights chair for CSUEB, said in an interview before the deal was announced. “It feels like our work load is going up and our pay given inflation is going down. All of us here, we want to serve our students.”
For months, the association, which represents 29,000 faculty members throughout the state, had been in talks with the university, seeking a 12% raise, higher base pay for the lowest-earning staff and expanded parental leave, among other demands. The association had rejected management's previous offer, a 15% raise over three years — 5% each year — and two more weeks of paid parental leave, bringing the total to eight weeks.
Parvik Triparthi, a computer science major at CSUEB, was relieved the strike only lasted a day. An international student from New Delhi, he is starting his fourth semester at the Hayward campus and has been having some administrative issues.
“I'm actually happy … now that the strike is over, professors are going to reply to my emails,” he said while tabling for his social fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon.
Despite his own difficulties, Triparthi also supported the striking staff. “They should be compensated better,” he said, “to survive in an expensive area.”