Largest University Strike in US History Looms as CSU Profs Overwhelmingly Vote to Walk Off the Job

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/03/largest_univers.html

Largest University Strike in US History Looms as CSU Profs Overwhelmingly Vote to Walk Off the Job

By Frank D. Russo

An astounding 94% of California Faculty Association members who cast ballots voted to authorize what would be the first strike ever at the California State University system if a contract settlement is not reached by Monday.

Faculty members are frustrated by working without a contract since July of 2005 and without a raise since 2003. This is compounded by hefty pay raises and golden parachutes handed out during this same time frame to CSU executives in a process under heavy criticism by legislators for being secretive and student fees that have also skyrocketed. Student fees have increased 94 percent since 2002 while CSU execs have raked in 23 percent pay hikes. In January, the CSU trustees provided their top 27 executives with a four percent pay increase, retroactive to July 2006. These same executives received a 19 percent hike just fourteen months earlier.

Last week, the CSU Board of Trustees approved a $103,000 executive payout to retiring CSU Dominguez President James Lyons. This is in addition to a number of other executive compensation packages and consulting contracts were recently exposed, costing taxpayers and students millions of dollars.

With this backdrop, the CSU system with over 400,000 students in 23 campuses may see what would be the largest university strike in U.S. history.

John Travis, President of the California Faculty Association, said:

“Today, the faculty has spoken loud and clear – they are tired of the way in which they are being treated by the CSU Administration. And they want a return to a true focus on the mission of the university — the instruction of students. They are frustrated by millions of dollars wasted on pet projects and golden parachute deals for executives while our classrooms and student services are being cut. And finally, they are sick of being lied to and treated disrespectfully by an Administration that makes ‘take it or leave it’ offers and refuses to bargain fairly. We need to make real progress toward paying the CSU faculty at the same level as our peers around the country. We know this administration has the financial flexibility to make it happen, but they choose not to. If they don’t find the will to reorder their priorities, we don’t want to strike but we will.”

A number of legislators and officeholders voiced their support for the faculty and expressed their hopes that a strike can be averted. Legislation is pending before the California State Senate and a committee may vote as early as March 28, SB 190, by Senator Leland Yee which would require action on executive compensation at the CSU as well as University of California to take place in public meetings.

FULL story at link.

[mike_c]

1. I will be on that picket line soon, I'm sure...

...unless Reed backs down. I'm VERY encouraged by the degree of solidarity among my colleagues and our associated labor unions. I suspect that alone sends an important message to Reed and the Trustees-- we are not divided over this issue and we WILL walk out.