Fool us once... but definitely not twice

Contingent raises are not guaranteed raises.

By now, you should have received the email from CFA Statewide countering the attempted union-busting message from CSU Vice Chancellor for Human Resources. Even though we are still in the “cooling off” period following fact-finding, CSU management thought it was a good tactic to send their most recent “offer” directly to members. Despite expressing pride in what she claimed to be a substantial offer, the email is little more than a divide and conquer tactic seeking to break our strike. 

At the outset, the Vice Chancellor asserts that management’s latest salary offer is “15 percent over three years.” However, in the same breath she acknowledges that only the first 5% in 2023-2024 is guaranteed! The other 5% in 2024-2025 and 5% in 2025-2026 are contingent upon state funding. The Vice Chancellor states, “increases in 2024 and 2025 depend only on the state honoring the financial commitments that it made in its current multi-year compact with the CSU.” However, an offer of contingent raises, is no offer at all. In 2022, we agreed to a 4% General Salary Increase for July 2022, where 1% was contingent on state budget approval. The state did not approve the 1% which resulted in a 3% GSI. 

Management never talks of “contingent raises” when it comes to salary increases for campus presidents, many of whom received up-to-29% equity raises in 2022. Also, where was the discussion of raises being contingent on state funding when the newest Chancellor is earning nearly $1M per year including deferred compensation, housing, and car allowances. 

Governor Newsom has made it very clear that the CSU has enough funding for staff and faculty raises, and will not approve additional funding and “urged Cal State’s leaders to work with unions” to fund CSU staff and faculty increases. However, as we have discussed before, CSU management has chosen to store away over $8 billion in investment accounts rather than to “invest” in the staff, faculty, and students.

We understand our recent raises have not kept up with inflation and since the pandemic the rising cost of housing, food, and transportation has made it even harder for faculty to make ends meet. This is why we continue to demand a 12% General Salary Increase for just 2023-24 to keep pace with rising costs of living. We won’t accept contingent raises again. We know administration can afford to fund our proposals, and if you haven’t seen the financial analysis by forensic accountant, Howard Bunsis, watch it here:

While raises are very important, they aren’t the only thing we’re planning to strike over. Management continues to reject or low-ball our other re-opener proposals to improve the CSU, such as raising the floor for our lowest-paid faculty, pedagogically-appropriate class sizes, an increase in the ratio of mental health counselors to students of 1:1,500, a full semester of paid parental leave, safe lactation spaces, and accessible gender-inclusive bathrooms and changing spaces. They must take our entire contract proposal package seriously or they should expect continued and escalating labor unrest.

Urge Chancellor Garcia to sign a fair faculty contract: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/faculty-strike. Share with colleagues, students, staff and community members.

We don’t want to strike, but we will

Wednesday, December 6th: Join us on the picket lines next week. It is imperative that you sign-up for a picket shift in order to make sure all safety measures are in place and we are able to provide enough food and water to strikers and supporters. Here is the link: https://forms.office.com/r/cxYkU57FaQ.

Monday, December 4th at 9AM: A bus will be departing from Cal State LA to join our Cal Poly Pomona faculty on their strike line, and return by 3PM. Breakfast, snacks and lunch will be provided. Save your seat on the bus here:

Some helpful resources for striking faculty

Auto Reply Email & Canvas Messaging sample language: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qycDEhUj_RH9YLl7i4emzYg2lXoFkQSD4nEiEGICmwU/edit?usp=sharing

CFA Strike Page: https://www.calfac.org/strike/

Strike FAQs: https://www.calfac.org/resources/strike-faq/