When students started at San Diego State University in the fall, many, including myself, were surprised to find a section of class syllabi titled, “Important note about a possible work stoppage during the semester.”
The message stated that the California Faculty Association, the labor union representing 29,000 faculty members on all California State campuses, was in a “difficult dispute” with the CSU management, which could result in a strike during the semester.
Since that message appeared on syllabi in August, the disagreement between the two groups has worsened.
The CFA and CSU have had several unsuccessful bargaining meetings and mediation sessions. Currently, they are at the “fact-finding” point of the process, where each side will present to a three-person panel who will recommend a solution. However, neither side is under an obligation to accept the recommendation.
One of the most contested issues between the two groups is faculty raises. The CFA is seeking 12%, while the CSU originally offered 4% before countering at 5%. This has shown CSU management’s unwillingness to bargain as they have only offered to move 1% from their original proposal.
The CSU has cited that the reason for this lack of movement is because such a high pay increase would force the university system to make “difficult and painful” decisions of how to reallocate funds to cover the additional costs, as stated in a press release.
However, many CSU presidents received raises of up to 30% last year with salaries ranging from $360,000 to over half a million. In fact, the highest-paid CSU President is SDSU’s Adela de la Torre, who makes $533,000. Presidents also receive provided housing or additional housing stipends.
The new CSU chancellor, who was appointed over the summer, makes $795,000 and receives an additional $95,000 for housing. This salary is $150,000 more than the interim chancellor who served the year before her.
Despite these significant salaries and their accompanying raises, the CSU says they are unable to give faculty more than a 5% raise.
In addition, the CSU also announced a multi-year tuition increase. This tuition hike was due to the fact that “the CSU requires additional resources to continue to provide its students with an accessible, high-quality education that prepares its graduates for success in California’s fast-evolving workforce.”
A significant part of providing students with a high-quality education is having dedicated, experienced faculty in the classroom to do the face-to-face work with students. CSU schools will not have this if they refuse to give faculty members raises.
Further, it begs the question of what, exactly, this additional tuition will go towards if it cannot supply faculty with raises beyond 5%. As a student, I would like to see my professors – the ones who are there, helping my learning – benefit from the funds, not those in the boardroom whom I’ve never met.
By maintaining their low offer on wage increases and rejecting other CFA proposals, the CSU management is pushing faculty toward a strike.
During the fact-finding process, the CFA held a vote for strike authorization, which would give its leaders the ability to call a strike should they find it necessary. On Oct. 30, they released the results, revealing that 95% of CFA members were in favor.
I don’t believe my professors want a strike to occur; it would be disruptive to student learning and frustrating for students who are paying to be in classes.
However, the CFA should fight for increased wages and workplace rights. If a strike is the only way to send a message to management, then it should be done.
Natali Gonzalez is an MA student in Rhetoric and Writing Studies. Originally from Ogden, Utah, she got her BA in English Teaching from Weber State University. While there, she worked as a research assistant examining the role of technology in K-12 education. She also worked for Upward Bound as an instructor and tutor. Now, at SDSU, she looks forward to learning about professional writing alongside increasing her knowledge about teaching practices.
