‘No other option’: Faculty union to stage 5-day strike following Cal State’s final pay offer

The faculty union of the California State University is planning a week of strikes across the 23 campuses Jan. 22 – 26 after the system said today that it would provide 5 percent raises to members, far below what the union is seeking.

The California Faculty Association is asking for 12 percent raises this fiscal year, plus other benefits, like extended parental leave and higher minimum salaries for the lowest-paid workers. But the 5 percent is an amount other employee unions in the system accepted last year as Cal State fought to stave off an even larger labor walk off. From Cal State’s perspective, its latest and final offer concludes contract negotiations. For the faculty union, it reaffirms its plans, broadcast in December, to strike in late January.