CSUMB Teachers Stage Protest

Monterey Herald 2/1/07

By Clarissa Aljentera

Faculty members at CSU-Monterey Bay made a statement during a lunchtime march through the quad Wednesday: It is time to pay attention to their contract negotiations.

Carrying signs and wearing buttons, faculty members expressed disappointment with California State University system administrators over an impasse in negotiations with the teachers union over raises and wage disparity between professors and college administrators.

"Many faculty members are frustrated because nothing has really happened," said professor Rafael Gomez, who is also the chapter president of the California Faculty Association at CSU-Monterey Bay.

Both sides are in "fact-finding" mode after the impasse was declared, the last step before mediators are sought to sort out differences.

About 50 faculty members, supporters and students took turns at the microphone Wednesday, most venting their anger at CSU Chancellor Charles Reed. The group marched in front of the administration building and toward a student "Club Day" event in the quad held to inform students about clubs and organizations on campus.

Representatives for the union recently rejected a salary offer that includes a 24.5 percent increase over the next three years. The CSU offer would pay for all medical-insurance premium increases for professors during the life of the contract.

According to a response from CSU administrators, the actual value of the increase will be 27 percent when the annual raises are compounded.

Administrators stressed they are eager to sign a contract. "The CSU wants to come to an agreement with the faculty union so its 23,000 faculty members can receive the salary and medical benefits they deserve," the response said.

Gomez said the offer faculty members rejected wasn't as good as the pay raise CSU executive administrators received themselves last week.

Professor Mark O'Shea said his salary prevents him from keeping up with the increasing cost of living in Monterey County. Gomez, who teaches in the world languages department, said he wasn't surprised many of his colleagues came out for the lunchtime picket.

"One of our responsibilities is to teach democratic participation," he said.