The California Faculty Association (CFA) is nearing the end of the “fact-finding” phase in the four-step statutory process required by law to help reach a contract.
Lydia Sondhi, CFA chapter president for Long Beach, discussed ongoing statutory processes involved in the bargaining. She said the first step deals with negotiations between both parties. Because both the CFA and the CSU system were not able to negotiate, they started the second step, which was meeting with a mediator who was brought in to try and settle the differences, Sondhi said.
But now, they are at the end of the third step, where CFA is currently working on “fact-finding,” Sondhi said. The phase lasts for 30 days, and it involves three people who discuss the bargaining and make a fact-finding review. According to the CFA’s Web site, “the panel consists of Sylvia Skratek, CFA President John Travis and CSU Vice Chancellor of Human Relations Jackie McClain [who] will write a report of their findings.” Skratek was the third person chosen who is not affiliated with either side. She will write the fact-finding review and give it to CFA and CSU.
Sondhi added that the fourth step, “blackout,” is a 10-day process where each side will decide what they will do. After this step, CFA can decide whether or not to strike or to go back to the bargaining table.
“It’s very historical … if we strike, it would be the largest strike in education and in the United States,” said Elizabeth Hoffman, state bargaining team member and CSULB vice president of lecturers.
Starting on March 12, faculty will be able to cast their strike vote from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The voting center will be located on the second floor of the University Student Union.
“The strike vote has already begun this week in 16 CSU schools. The remaining seven [including CSULB] will be voting starting next week,” Hoffman said.
“Were always ready to come back to the table,” Sondhi said.
