CSU to remain open during scheduled strike

If California State University doesn’t reach a contract agreement with its faculty union by April, then 26,000 professors, librarians, counselors and coaches across the 23 CSU campuses are planning a five-day strike.

The strike would take place on April 13, 14, 15, 18 and 19, the California Faculty Association announced Monday. The union is seeking a 5 percent raise for all faculty but CSU is offering only a 2 percent raise, CFA officials said.

Chancellor Timothy White “and his team of negotiators have failed to respect CSU faculty throughout this entire process,” Kevin Wehr, chair of CFA’s bargaining team and a Sacramento State sociology professor, said in a statement.

Jennifer Eagan, CFA president and a professor at CSU East Bay, said in a statement:

“A strike is our last resort and we still hope that the chancellor will invest in the faculty who are the major determinant of our students’ success.”

Negotiations between the union and the university have been ongoing since May 2014 and union members voted to authorize a strike in October.

CSU officials said Monday they were committed to achieving a resolution with the union but were preparing for a strike. If a strike does happen, they said campuses would remain open.

University officials said in a statement:

“Many classes will be offered, and students should check with their instructors regarding the status of their classes. … The strike should not interfere with students being able to complete their semester and quarter courses and graduate on time.”