(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) released a statement today standing in support of CSU faculty in their push for a five percent raise. The California Faculty Association (CFA), representing over 20,000 CSU faculty, has embarked on a campaign called “Five for Five,” which will involve a five-day strike unless a compromise can be reached.
“I stand with the CFA in their push to improve the living standards of educators and faculty within the CSU system. Ensuring adequate compensation must be a top priority if the system intends to attract the best talent to support the growth and development of the CSU mission. Severe budget cuts and wage stagnation came on the back of the 2008 financial crisis, but now we are on a path of fiscal strength and need to reach out and ensure faculty are included in our economic recovery. Given that there are about half a million lives that actively benefit from or contribute to the CSU, the Chancellor needs to step up and come to an expeditious resolution. The livelihood of too many people depends on this and we cannot afford the collateral damage that will follow if it leads to an unfair deal for faculty.”