CSU Faculty Postpone Strike

KSBY 3/26/07

By Shari Small

Things are looking brighter for the California State University system.

CSU faculty and administrators will avoid a strike for awhile, after agreeing to go back to the negotiating table. Up to a ten day reprieve.

The current contract with faculty will be extended until April 6. During this time no strike activities will take place on any CSU campus.

Last week, faculty union members voted for rolling walkouts, following two years of salary disputes. They say the extension is a good sign.

"I think they're very optimistic," said Richard Saenz of the California Faculty Association. "Nobody wants to go on strike. I mean, a strike is a real pain, and a lot of work for everybody. And probably more disruptive for the faculty and the administration than it is for the students."

A fact-finding report by a neutral party recommends a 25 percent salary increase over four years.

Here are the next steps:

• The two sides have until April 6 to come to an agreement.
• If no agreement is reached, union leaders say they will resume plans for rolling walk-outs.