Members of the California Faculty Association on all California State University campuses went on strike this past Monday after months of unsuccessful negotiation meetings with CSU management.

While the strike was planned to go throughout the week, it was called off Monday evening when the CFA announced that they had reached a tentative agreement with CSU management.

“In case anyone forgot, STRIKES WORK!” The CFA posted on Instagram. “Our members have won a Tentative Agreement (TA) with the CSU management that includes raising the floor for our most vulnerable faculty, safer workplaces, and expanded parental leave.” 

The announcement came after many faculty, staff, coaches, counselors and librarians spent the day on the picket lines, despite the heavy rainfall.

Many there said they were drawn out to show their support in the fight for a fair contract.

“I’m not really out here for myself, I’m mostly out here for the lecturers who make the least amount of money,” said Kenneth Nollett, a physics professor at San Diego State University. “What we’re fighting for is to have salaries that match inflation – make it so that if you’re a lecturer you can actually afford to feed yourself and your kids.”

Lecturers are not given full-time contracts, which limits their job security and ability to receive benefits. It also results in many of them teaching at multiple universities, according to SDSU lecturer Savanna Schuermann.

“A lot of us teach at 2, 3, 4 or more campuses just to make ends meet,” said Schuermann. “We’re not trying to get ahead or make more money. We’re just trying to not fall further into poverty so that we don’t have to abandon the profession we love altogether and go find a more sustainable livelihood.”

Many students expressed their support for faculty fighting for higher pay and increased benefits.

“Many of the faculty have earned PhDs and have devoted their lives to education, so it hardly seems logical that they should have to worry about things like food and housing,” said student Sam Hockaday.

Others agreed, citing the work faculty puts into supporting students.

“I would say they should be able to get more pay…because they are shaping us into our future careers and shouldn’t be left in the dust,” said Abigail Segoviano, an SDSU student.

The union was originally seeking a 12% general salary increase while the CSU offered a 5% raise. The tentative agreement that was ultimately reached included a 5% general salary increase retroactive to July 2023. Then, there will be another 5% raise for faculty in July 2024, contingent on California state not reducing the base funding to the CSU system.

Other terms in the tentative agreement included a $3,000 increase in minimum pay for the lowest-paid faculty and increased parental leave from six to ten weeks.

The two organizations have been negotiating on these issues and others since May of 2023.

“As a student, I just felt like a bystander,” added Andrew Penalosa. “(I was) someone who was just playing the waiting game until the CFA and CSU could get their act together.”

Members of the CFA will be voting to ratify the tentative agreement in the coming weeks.

“I’m absolutely voting yes (to ratify),” said Schuermann.”This was a huge win. That’s not to say there isn’t still more work to be done. We’re not going to change (everything) with one contract. So I will absolutely be voting yes and I’ll be encouraging others to think hard about it as well.”

Photo credit: Natali Gonzalez