California State University faculty on massive strike across 23 campuses

Nearly 30,000 professors, librarians and other workers have been on a massive education strike since Monday at the California State University, the largest public university system in the US, Forbes reported.

The one-week strike, which began on January 22 and is slated to end on the 26th, is the first-ever strike in the university's history to be conducted on campus.

The California Faculty Association (CFA), the union that represents the workers across the state, said they have been trying to negotiate a 12% pay rise since last year, but they have only met with disrespect from the university.

The CFA said they gave the university management four contract proposals on January 8, which were not taken seriously.

Striking employees are asking for a 12% raise across the board, as well as more mental health services for students, limited police presence on campuses and parental leave.

In response, the university offered them a 5% wage increase, small salary increases for department chairpersons, and an increased parking fee of 2% every month.

The California State Chancellor’s office pushed back against the union’s demands, insisting they would put a strain on resources for faculty and students and force them to make serious cuts that would jeopardise employee jobs.

The CFA strike has been joined in by the local teamsters who represent skilled trade workers such as plumbers, electricians and other professionals.

The university has announced that all campuses will remain open and all classes will happen as per schedule.