Arvin Roberts-California State University faculty vote to authorize strike over pay and class sizes

2025-05-03 12:35:19source:Surpassingcategory:Contact

LONG BEACH,Arvin Roberts Calif. (AP) — Faculty at all 23 campuses of the California State University system have voted to authorize a strike, demanding a new contract with higher salaries, lower class sizes and more manageable workloads.

Members of the California Faculty Association — which represents 29,000 lecturers, librarians, counselors and other employees — authorized a walkout in a 95% vote, the union said in a statement Monday.

“CFA members are emphatic that low pay, growing workloads, and systemic inequities are not sustainable,” the statement said.

A strike is not a sure thing. The union’s demands will be presented to the university’s chancellor, Mildred Garcia, at the board of trustees meeting on Nov. 7, and negotiations will continue from there.

The union wants a 12% jump in pay for some faculty, more counselors to support students’ mental health, expanded paid parental leave, and increased safety provisions for faculty interacting with university police.

The university system said in a statement that it hopes a walkout can be avoided.

“The CSU remains committed to the collective bargaining process and reaching a negotiated agreement with the CFA as we have done with five of our other employee unions in recent weeks,” the statement said.

It’s been a busy year for labor actions in California. Hollywood writers went on strike for nearly five months beginning in May, and actors joined them in July. Los Angeles hotel workers have staged staggered walkouts since the summer, and earlier this year LA school staff walked picket lines. There was also a contract dispute at Southern California ports.

More:Contact

Recommend

Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there

AI-assisted summarySeveral countries are offering financial incentives to attract residents, particu

CO2 pipeline project denied key permit in South Dakota; another seeks second chance in North Dakota

South Dakota regulators on Wednesday denied a construction permit for a carbon dioxide pipeline proj

Tropical Storm Lee forecast to strengthen into hurricane as it churns in Atlantic toward Caribbean

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Lee churned through the open waters of the Atlantic on W