The union representing 25,000 faculty at the 23-campus California State University system set a date for a strike authorization vote next month.
Faculty are asking for a 5 percent increase. Administrators are offering 2 percent. The inflation rate over past year was 1.8 percent according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Jennifer Egan, head of the California Faculty Association, said salaries have fallen behind the cost of living. Egan said faculty at the University of California and community colleges, along with teachers in many K-12 schools, earn more.
Union leaders are also concerned with recent hiring trends. According to the CFA, more vacancies are being filled with lower paid, unbenefited part-time lecturers.
According to a statement, CSU’s bargaining team remains committed to collective bargaining. The next negotiating session is scheduled for Oct. 8.
The strike authorization vote is scheduled for Oct. 19–28.