Union Democracy at the Bargaining Table

Union power was strong at the bargaining table Tuesday, as the CFA and CSU bargaining teams met for the first time and in person for re-opener bargaining. Our bargaining proposal includes fighting for a 12-percent general wage increase, pay equity, fair workload, adequate parental leave, and safe campuses.

“CSU management came not expecting to see the democracy and power of this union,” said Meghan O’Donnell, Associate Vice President, Lecturers, North. 

For Chico State Lecturer Allison McConnell, the experience of being present and participating was “so uplifting.” “All of us coming together, it felt like my heart was expanding,” said McConnell.

In our last update we informed you that management requested that we bargain over proposed ground rules for how we conduct negotiations and acceded to six additional dates for negotiations in late July and August. 

At the table, management characterized our interest in union democracy as deceptive and proposed various limitations on member participation. We stressed that our members’ expressed desire is to engage in bargaining in a more participatory manner. 

Proposals and arguments went back and forth, with caucus time for each side. During negotiations, designated representatives addressed bargaining proposals and positions. During caucus time, additional team members asked questions and shaped our responses to management proposals and questions. 

“Caucusing was fantastic,” said Professor Hellen Lee from Sacramento State, “it was incredibly lively; I loved the exchange of ideas.” 

Stanislaus State chapter delegate at-large, Professor Koni Stone came away from bargaining feeling confident in the process and looks forward to “taking this back to my colleagues.”

We agreed to set aside the negotiations on ground rules and instead respond to CSU Management’s questions regarding CFA’s re-opener proposals on Articles 20, 23, 31, and 37 (workload, leave of absence with pay, salary, and health and safety). After some back-and-forth, bargaining ended for the day. 

The CSU said they would present counter offers to our re-opener proposals at the July 20th bargaining session, two months after we announced them on International Workers Day, May 1. 

The biggest and best show of solidarity you can make is signing up for bargaining. The next bargaining session will be July 20th at CFA Headquarters. You can sign up here.

Faculty, student, and staff solidarity will be critical to achieving the best contract possible. The CSU would not function without us, so leveraging the power of our labor collectively and strategically is imperative to improve our quality of life.

To stay updated on negotiations go to www.CFAbargaining.org.

If you know any colleagues who are not CFA members, ask them to join.

When We Fight, We Win!!!!