CARSON – The California Faculty Association (CFA) announced today its authorization to conduct two-day rolling strikes throughout the 23-campus California State University system, a decision that could mark the largest strike in the history of higher education in the United States.
The vote to authorize a strike – the first of its kind in the CFA – was approved with an overwhelming 94 percent majority “yes” vote, and had an 81 percent turnout. Numbers regarding the vote were not released at this time.
“The level of turnout and the magnitude of the vote sends a clear message to [Chancellor Charles Reed] and the board of trustees that enough is enough,” said Lillian Taiz, CFA chapter president at Cal State Los Angeles and leader of the strike vote committee.
Taiz said the strike will occur sometime in April or May. She said some CSUs will most likely strike for two days, with other CSUs striking on another two days. Taiz said the CFA will determine centrally when exactly the strikes will begin.
“We will surprise you and we will surprise the chancellor,” Taiz said.
John Travis, statewide president of CFA, said with most students’ scheduling that they will most likely miss only one day of classes.
The announcement was strategically made at Cal State Dominguez Hills, a campus the CFA said most represented the extent of how the CSU system has been facing budget cuts that affect students mainly from working-class families.
Starr T. Balmer contributed to this report.
