Faculty demand more than higher pay during Chico State, CSU strike

CHICO — In dreary weather, spirits reigned high as Chico State faculty and supporters picketed during the first day of their week-long strike.

Faculty are striking after the California Faculty Association and the California State University system failed to negotiate the demands of the CFA.

The CFA’s demands include the following:

• A 12% pay raise to stay ahead of inflation.

• Pay equity and raising the floor for the lowest-paid faculty.

• Manageable workloads that allow for more support and engagement with students.

• More counselors to improve students’ much-needed access to mental health counseling.

• Expanding paid parental leave.

• Accessible lactation and milk storage spaces for lactating faculty.

• Safe gender-inclusive restrooms and changing rooms.

• Safety provisions for faculty interacting with university police on campuses.

Of these eight demands the CSU acknowledged one, higher pay.

The CFA and the CSU negotiated for eight months. On Jan. 9, the CSU announced a 5% raise for faculty and walked out of negotiations — failing to reach a deal with the CFA.

“Throughout the bargaining process, the CFA never veered from its initial salary demand, which was not financially viable and would have resulted in massive cuts to campuses — including layoffs — that would have jeopardized the CSU’s educational mission,” the CSU stated on its website.

Professors, lecturers, coaches, librarians and counselors at the CSU’s campuses are all represented by the CFA. The strike is taking place at all 23 state university campuses.

“I’m prepared to go longer than a week,” director of civil engagement and political science and criminal justice professor Amy Magnus said.

Magnus is pregnant and said it is important for the CSU to expand paid parental leave to six months, “which would be really in alignment with a lot of the other modern world.”

Prior to the strike, Chico State President Steve Perez sent students an email detailing how the strike would impact the first week of school, noting that facilities such as the library, school gym and housing would all be open.

In the email, Perez provided a link for students to report canceled classes and services.

“If a class or service is canceled, you are welcome to share that information with us here (at the link),” Perez stated.

The president’s invitation to report canceled classes outraged some faculty and students who viewed the offer as a way to pit students against their professors.

Magnus called the link to report classes the, “rat out our professors link.”

On various platforms students began suggesting that those in support of the strike should spam the canceled class link with nonsense reports.

The on campus organization Students for Quality Education posted screenshots of multiple fake reports with the caption:

“It’d sure be a shame if the link sent by administration to snitch on professors advocating for their rights was bombarded and confused with fake submissions — such a shame.”

The purpose of the reports is to help the CSU determine who is working and who is striking, said Andrew Staples, Chico State public relations manager.

“The reporting link is a way to allow students to share their concerns while helping campuses understand the impacts of the strike. Students are not required to report canceled classes,” Staples said.

The link is not exclusive to Chico State and was sent to all CSU students.

“They want to scare faculty into not striking and accept their underwhelming and inadequate contract, and think that pitting students against faculty is their best bet,” public health professor Lindsay Briggs said.

Political science major Iain Higgins expressed a deep appreciation for the work of his professors and said he does not plan to report any of his canceled classes.

The strike will continue through Friday unless a deal is reached between the CFA and the CSU.