California public university employees demand equity transformation and threaten to strike if demands are not met
Limits on Police Powers and Gender-Inclusive Restrooms: Faculty Union Threatens Strike
Professors and other employees in the California State University system are ready to take action if their demands for a much-needed equity transformation are not met. These demands include placing limits on police powers and ensuring widespread access to gender-inclusive restrooms.
The California Faculty Association, a union representing nearly 30,000 employees, made these demands in a powerful statement released on Tuesday. The union expressed frustration with the university system’s failure to address their proposals for equity transformation, leaving them with no choice but to proceed with a systemwide strike.
One of the key aspects of the union’s equity transformation plan is to challenge the authority of campus police. The union’s contract proposal emphasizes the need to protect faculty members from the negative consequences of overpolicing in the United States. It calls for a union representative to be present during all conversations between school employees and campus law enforcement, and for campus police to be unarmed when interacting with university staff.
Additionally, the contract demands the provision of gender-inclusive restrooms within a five-minute distance from every faculty member’s work site. Clear signage indicating the location of the nearest gender-inclusive bathroom must also be installed. Failure to comply with these provisions may result in faculty members filing grievances over health and safety risks and inequities caused by the lack of access to gender-inclusive restrooms.
This proposal is part of a broader trend among liberal teachers’ unions, both in K-12 and higher education, to leverage their influence in order to advance left-wing initiatives. For instance, the Portland Association of Teachers successfully advocated for subsidized housing for low-income students and expanded rent control. Similarly, the Fresno Teachers Association pushed for homeless individuals to be allowed to sleep in public school parking lots.
The California Faculty Association has not responded to requests for comment. Their strike is scheduled to commence on January 22, coinciding with the first day of classes for some colleges within the system, including Sonoma State University. Faculty members at Sonoma State University plan to join the strike, resulting in canceled classes.
“Individual faculty members might decide to strike that week, which could result in individual classes being canceled,” said Sonoma State University spokesman Jeffery Keating. Despite this, the university’s president, Ming Tung Lee, is supportive of the strike, affirming his belief in the faculty’s right to be heard on this issue and other workplace concerns.
In addition to their demands regarding police powers and restrooms, the California Faculty Association has also clashed with university system leaders over salary increases. The union was offered a 5 percent raise, falling far short of their demand for a 12 percent increase for all members.
According to CalMatters, the average salary for California State University professors ranges from $91,000 to $122,000. The California Faculty Association has previously secured raises of 4 percent and 3 percent in the past two years. However, Napoleon Reyes, a criminology professor and leader of the California Faculty Association, argues that the raise is necessary due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and “historic” inflation under President Joe Biden.
“The faculty lost a lot,” he said.
What potential effects could a faculty strike have on the functioning and operations of a university, and why does the California Faculty Association see it as a necessary measure in addressing their demands for equity and inclusion
Rs and activists who are pushing for greater inclusivity on college campuses. The demand for gender-inclusive restrooms is seen as a way to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, who often face discrimination and harassment in traditional gender-segregated facilities.
The push for limits on police powers is also a response to the ongoing debate over police violence and racial profiling. Many faculty members and students argue that campus police forces have become militarized and overly aggressive, leading to a hostile environment for marginalized communities. By advocating for a union representative to be present during interactions with campus law enforcement and calling for unarmed officers, the union hopes to create a safer and more respectful campus environment.
The threat of a strike is a significant escalation in the fight for equity and inclusion within the California State University system. Strikes by faculty can have a dramatic impact on the functioning of a university, as classes may be disrupted and administrative operations may be severely hampered. However, the California Faculty Association seems to believe that this drastic measure is necessary in order to force the university system to address their demands.
It remains to be seen how the university system will respond to these demands. While some administrators may view the demands as unrealistic or unnecessary, others may see them as a necessary step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable campus. In any case, the threat of a strike should serve as a wake-up call to the university system, highlighting the urgency and importance of these issues.
In conclusion, the California Faculty Association’s demands for limits on police powers and gender-inclusive restrooms in the California State University system are a reflection of the broader push for inclusivity and equity in higher education. These demands aim to create a safer and more welcoming environment for marginalized communities, and it is clear that the union is willing to take drastic action, including a strike, in order to see these demands met. The response of the university system to these demands will have significant implications for the future of equity and inclusion on college campuses.
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