Story updated at 7:45 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23.
The California State University and California Faculty Association announced a tentative deal last night, putting an end to a weeklong strike planned by the union this week. The deal comes after professors, lecturers, librarians, counselors and coaches walked out of classes across all 23 CSU campuses yesterday, including at Chico State.
As classes at the university resumed yesterday morning after winter break, campus was full of activity – and not because of the returning students.
Faculty gathered at every main campus entrance. Protestors stood in the rain calling for fair wages and better working conditions.
“Until now, we haven't really gotten any real sense that the administration is interested in negotiating with us in good faith,” said Eran Zelnik, a Chico State lecturer. “They have constantly tried to just kind of say there is nothing to bargain about. So we haven't felt a real good faith. Until that happens, we’re going to be here.”
Zelnik held a sign like many of his fellow union members calling for a 12% salary increase, more maternity leave for parents and more mental health resources for students.
“Basically what's going on is that there's been 40 years of disinvestment in these jobs that are pretty easy to fire and hire, and that's increasing what the university management is interested in, even as they themselves are getting higher and higher wages,” he said.
At another entrance, faculty member Molly Heck stood with her son and nephew. Heck’s son held a sign that read “pay my mom.”
“They’re learning about striking and organizing today,” she said to her boys. “We’ll be out here throughout the week.”
Heck and those striking with her said it was their duty to themselves and their students to demonstrate the civic work needed to ensure equitable conditions across the CSU system.
In case anyone forgot, STRIKES WORK! After months of negotiations, our movement for a #betterCSU has paid off! Our members have won a Tentative Agreement with @calstate that includes raising the floor for our most vulnerable faculty, safer workplaces & expanded parental leave.#1u pic.twitter.com/q9VXHO0P6p
— California Faculty Association (@CFA_United) January 23, 2024
The deal reached last night between the CSU and CFA includes a 5% retroactive raise in salary for all faculty from July 2023, and an additional 5% raise beginning in July of this year, as well as additional maternity leave.
