The California Faculty Association began their one week strike

This was the California Faculty Union’s (CFA) first day of their one-week strike.

This is historic,” said Marisol Ruiz, the CFA President. “So I’m feeling like we’re making history right now. 29,000 faculty came on strike and we’re feeling good. We’re feeling empowered. I feel like we’re going to win this.”

The faculty union has been fighting for a new contract with better salaries and working conditions for months. On Friday, the California State University System (CSU) held a news conference, where they discussed the status of bargaining with the faculty union, correcting misinformation about classes, and how universities are preparing to ensure minimal disruption to students.

But the union said it felt like an insult. 

“Also [that] was a slap in the face to the faculty,” Ruiz said. “It was an insult to the faculty because there is $8.5 billion. You do have the money. They have the money to make this happen and to not raise tuition hikes.”

This strike is happening at all 23 CSU campuses. At Cal Poly Humboldt there were groups of faculty, students and people in solidarity with the CFA. 

“As a single black mother, I feel like I’m constantly fighting against that kind of structure,” said Dr. Renée Byrd, an English Associate Professor at Cal Poly Humboldt. “And so I think sometimes when people imagine faculty, they imagine people with a bunch of wealth who own their home. And it’s not necessarily like that.”

Students told Redwood News why they were at the picket lines.

“I wouldn’t have woken up at 8 a.m. on a Monday if it wasn’t if I didn’t think it was important at all,” said Chelsea Rios Gomez, a student at Cal Poly Humboldt. “They’ve been working on this contract for a little while now. So I think the fact that the CSU isn’t even wanting to be at the table with them says a lot.”

“As a graduate student, I hope someday to have a career in higher education,” said Holly Ray, a student at Cal Poly Humboldt. “And so being able [here] to show solidarity, to support my professors now– this provides a future opportunity for me to earn a living wage.”

The faculty union hopes to return to the bargaining table soon.