Faculty across the California State University system are voting on whether to give their union the power to call a strike, the latest step in a contract fight that has brought rallies to campuses including San Jose State.
The California Faculty Association, which says it represents 29,000 faculty members, opened its strike authorization vote on Oct. 26, and voting runs through Nov. 19, according to the union. A yes vote would not start a strike on its own. It would allow union leaders to call one if the two sides fail to reach a deal after the required bargaining steps.
Where talks stand
The union and CSU management are now in factfinding, where both sides make their case to a neutral panel that may suggest terms for a deal; those hearings are set for November, the Coyote Chronicle at Cal State San Bernardino reported.
The union is seeking higher salaries with regular adjustments, along with changes on workload and appointments and new protections around artificial intelligence and academic freedom. Its statement on the vote also criticizes CSU Chancellor Mildred García over workforce reductions and program cuts. The union says it filed two unfair practice charges against CSU management with the state Public Employment Relations Board this month.
CSU spokesperson Amy Bentley-Smith told the Coyote Chronicle that "a strike is not inevitable" and that the system remains focused on an agreement, pointing to a recent deal with the Academic Professionals of California. She said the CSU must balance employee pay with managing public money and long-term financial stability, and that campuses keep contingency plans to limit disruption to students' academic progress.
Rallies on campus
The union is holding 22 rallies, marches and other actions this week and next under the theme "Cost of Living is a Nightmare." San Jose State union members picketed last week over pay and living costs, and San Francisco State and Sonoma State rallies were set for Wednesday, NBC Bay Area reported.