FRESNO (KMJ) — A “tentative agreement” has been reached between the California Faculty Association and the California State University system, avoiding a potential strike.
Members of the CFA wanted a pay rise of 5%, and after failing to get it through negotiations, talk of a walk-out started last year and intensified as the strike date of April 13th approached. The CSU system were offering a 2% rise in response to the CFA’s request.
But as of Friday morning, a tentative deal has been reached.
“There will not be a strike and classes will continue as normal this academic term”, says Chancellor Timothy White. “This dispute, which is now behind us, was an unfortunate symptom of a core problem in California. California State University, and for that matter the University of California, are under-funded relative to the state’s needs for an educated populace”.
“This agreement will not make faculty rich or end all our economic problems”, adds CFA President Jennifer Eagan. “But it will alter the course of our relationship with the Chancellor”.
The deal was welcomed in the valley too. Fresno State President Joseph Castro met with the media inside the campus’ Henry Madden Library less than an hour after the official announcement had been made.
“I’m thrilled to be here with all of you”, starts President Castro, “and very very pleased that there is a tentative agreement that has been reached between the California State University system and the California Faculty Association.
“I’m excited about it because it allows us to continue to educate our students without any interruptions”.
President Castro went on to reveal that there had been some uncertainty and discomfort from students, with the threat of strike action raising questions on campus.
“I think the agreement is fair”.
The tentative agreement includes a 5% General Salary Increase on June 30 2016, a 2% General Salary Increase on July 1, 2016, a 3.5% General Salary Increase on July 1 2017, and a 2.65% Service Salary Increase (step increase) during Fiscal Year 2017/18 for eligible faculty.
The CFA’s statement also establishes that the tentative agreement would extend the current faculty contract by one year, making the new expiration date June 30, 2018, and that all current provisions in the contract would continue.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
