At the beginning of the spring semester, the faculty of all 23 California State University campuses went on strike to procure better pay, more mental health resources for students and extended paid parental leave, among other adjustments.
The California Faculty Association members prepared for a week-long strike, informing students that their classes would be postponed until the second week of the semester. However, the strike began and ended in one day on Jan. 22, 2024, calling students to return to their scheduled classes by the following day.
This faculty strike followed the recent tuition increase approved by the CSU Board of Trustees on Sept. 13, 2023. However, the CFA had been negotiating with CSU management to achieve their needs for eight months before going on strike.
Moorpark College economics professor Ray Zhang provided insight from the CFAs’ and the CSUs’ perspectives.
“This strike is an example of game theory, a branch of economics which has to do with strategy,” Zhang explained. “The strike is a test of commitment to determine which side can last the longest before conceding.”
The systemwide strike ended with a Tentative Agreement (TA) between the CFA and the CSU. Highlights of the TA include a 5% salary increase for all faculty members for the 2023-24 school year and an increase of paid parental leave from six to 10 weeks. However, CFA members had requested a 12% salary increase and a semester-length leave period.
“The wage increase is a relief of pressure,” Zhang explained. “Both sides must face the economic reality that the CSU must live within their means. This agreement is necessary in order to protect the CSU’s funding in the long run.”
The CSU approved the plan to increase student tuition over the next five years to bridge a $1.5 billion budget gap. To maintain the programs currently available to students at each university, the CSU must act cautiously.
According to the CSU website, the system is committed to “quality, opportunity and student success.” One concession defined in the TA is “[improved] access to gender-inclusive restrooms and lactation spaces” for students and faculty.
With the TA as their current conclusion, the CSU and CFA reached a compromise that will hopefully protect the university system, its faculty and its students in the future.
