"CSU Faculty Unite in Systemwide Strike Threat"

The union representing 29,000 faculty members at California State University went on a five-day strike, demanding a 12% wage increase and other benefits, disrupting the first week of the spring semester for tens of thousands of students. The strike, the first ever across all of CSU’s 23 campuses, is a result of eight months of negotiations that failed to reach an agreement on pay and other improvements. The turmoil will be a major test for the new chancellor, who is recognized for raising achievement among Latino students and improving graduation rates. The strike is expected to add to the frenzy of the first days of classes, and campuses will remain open during the strike.