CSUMB wouldn't be first to strike
Monterey Herald 3/30/07
Representatives of the California Faculty Association announced a series of rolling strikes Thursday to begin at CSU-Los Angeles on April 10, if the April 6 deadline to settle the unresolved contract dispute is not met.
The date for a strike at CSU-Monterey Bay hasn't been announced, but each of California State University's campuses are expected to participate in a rolling strike that could extend through April.
"We're not complacently waiting while the attempt to settle a contract is under way," said Lillian Taiz, vice president of the California Faculty Association. "We believe it is in the best interest of everyone, including Chancellor Reed and his administration, to settle this contract. We have the necessary guidance from a fact-finding report that we believe makes it possible to reach such a settlement."
The mediator's report was made public Sunday, when a 10-day extension was given to help both sides find time to work out an agreement. The report recommended a 25 percent salary increase for the 23,000-plus faculty systemwide.
The first set of rolling strikes is scheduled for CSU campuses in Los Angeles, Dominguez Hills, Hayward (CSU-East Bay), Sacramento, San Marcos, and the California Maritime Academy.
Representatives from the first six universities discussed their plans for strike preparation Thursday during a telephone news conference.
Representatives at CSU-Monterey Bay met twice in recent days to talk about strike preparations.
"We feel the best way to prevent the strike is to be ready and prepared for a strike," said Rafael Gomez, the California Faculty Association chapter president for CSU-Monterey Bay.
Gomez has fielded calls and e-mails from colleagues who have asked about their responsibilities if and when faculty members strike.
His personal advice has been that faculty members should not check e-mail, conduct research or teach if the strike hits the campus.
"The only power we have is the power to withhold our labor," Gomez said. "Withholding our labor means we don't do anything for two days and come out on the picket lines."
Union officials said more locations of the two-day rolling strikes could be named if the deadline isn't met.
CSU officials said in a statement that it is counterproductive to talk about a strike schedule during negotiations.