As previously reported, the California Faculty Association (CFA) had set up a vote yesterday that would determine whether the 24,000 faculty members it represents would stage the California State University (CSU)’s largest walk-out in history. They voted yes on a walk-out — but all is hypothetical.

The strike will occur if bargaining deals with the Board of Trustees fails today and tomorrow. This is what some consider a strategic and rhetorical move on behalf of CFA, with the possible loom of such a large strike possibly altering the opinion of the Board. Nearly 95% of the vote approved the rolling two-day walk-outs — a message that, following two years of negotiating in the blind hope that some type of labor agreement would be reached, speaks volumes about where the union would like to go.

The president of CFA, Lillian Taiz, has been outspoken with her criticism of the executive and administrative branches of the nation’s largest public university system, stating, “”The faculty of the California State University have had enough of executives putting themselves above the needs of the students and of the public university.” She is hinting — rather clearly — towards the recent salary raises of two CSU presidents as well as the overwhelming cuts that have been put forth towards education since California’s economic crisis (which, following the unexpected tax revenue shortfall, could worsen).

In fact, the CSU’s situation between those administrating and those attending and teaching reached a pinnacle this past Tuesday when 13 students from six different CSU campuses, including Long Beach State, decided to engage in a hunger strike — one of the most drastic acts of civil disobedience to have hit the CSU. 

This, in combination with the CFA vote, are events which will hopefully make the bargaining process more fruitful than exacerbate problems. Andy Merrifield, chair of CFA’s bargaining team, stated after yesterday’s vote, “A fair contract will allow us to support our families, do a good job as educators, and help our students succeed.” The statement might seem redundant and all-too-logical, but there is value in it; after all, the CSU’s mission is to support working-class individuals succeed in getting an education and increasing the workforce — not, as some have feared, an organization where for-profit models run the show, limiting rights for faculty and staff, limiting shared governance, and limiting job security by increasing temporary professors with little hours.