Today is the last day for members of the California Faculty Association (CFA) to cast a strike vote.
According to Lydia Sondhi, CFA chapter president for Long Beach, the fact-finding review should come sometime this week, which will finalize the process. While CFA waits on the review, the faculty has the opportunity to vote for or against the idea of a strike.
Once the fact-finding review is received by both the CFA and CSU, the blackout phase will begin and last 10 days. Within that time period, the CFA will decide whether to take part in a two-day rolling strike or to go back to negotiations.
“We are able to receive ballots and answer questions about the issue and questions about the strike and bargaining,” Sondhi said. “We are receiving votes by e-mail and in person.”
Sondhi said they have a master roster of faculty members, and when a member comes to vote, they are given a ballot and have to sign the roster.
The strike is to “save the CSU,” Sondhi said. “We want to retain the highest quality of education for students . . . we were designed for the working-class family.”
The League of Woman Voters will be certifying the votes, Sondhi said. The votes are due by midday Friday. She expects the outcome of the votes to arrive sometime next week, depending on the number of ballots.
“The League of Woman Voters will count the votes March 19 to 20 and an announcement of the results is scheduled for March 21,” stated Lisa Cohen in a press release update from the CFA.
The League of Woman Voters is a nonpartisan political organization. According to its Web site, it encourages informed and active participation in government. It works to inform constituents regarding political issues and utilizes education and advocacy to influence public policy.
CFA members can vote from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the University Student Union.
