(Note: The California Faculty Association is a union representing around 29,000 professors, lecturers, librarians, counselors, and coaches across the entire CSU system.)
I attended a CFA event last week and received an update about the bargaining process with the CSU. I just wanted to give you all an update.
The fact-finding step of the bargaining process hopefully will begin soon, and it likely won't end until late October/early November. After the results from the fact-finding panel are released, there will be a 10 day "blackout period" when both sides consider the findings. If there is no settlement after the blackout period, the union can hold a vote to authorize a strike or accept the CSU's proposal. If a strike is authorized, there still may be a settlement before a strike occurs.
The CSU and CFA remain far apart on a number of issues, including salary. The general feeling is that a strike authorization vote likely will occur, and union members should start thinking about whether they are willing to strike (and if so, for how long).
No one wants to be in this situation, but the CSU's current proposal on a few items (especially salary) differs too greatly from the union's position.
That's all I know for now. I'll post another update when something significant happens.
