By Pat Lopes Harris, Media Relations Director
The California Faculty Association, a bargaining unit representing all CSU faculty members, is planning to stage a one-day strike at CSU East Bay and CSU Dominguez Hills on Nov. 17. Some SJSU faculty members plan to participate in the CSUEB event.
How will this impact SJSU?
The CSU Chancellor’s Office in Long Beach conducts labor negotiations for all 23 campuses. Meanwhile, here at SJSU, we remain focused on our primary mission, teaching our nearly 30,000 students.
While it is difficult to predict with certainty, the one-day strike is expected to lightly impact San Jose State. Campus will remain open, and most classes will be conducted as usual.
However, individual faculty members might choose to cancel classes. Students are advised to check in with their instructors.
Why is this happening?
The Chancellor’s Office and the CFA have been discussing two concerns: (1) retroactive pay increases for a two-year period beginning in 2008, and (2) a new contract, given the previous contract expired June 30, 2010.
We know SJSU’s faculty members are extremely valuable, and should be fairly compensated. The question is how to provide for pay increases.
Our primary sources of revenue are the state general fund and tuition. While students have experienced steep tuition increases, state support has dropped dramatically.
More information
The negotiations are complicated, and the details numerous.