Information regarding the week of Jan. 22-26
January 18, 2024
Dear Students:
Welcome to the spring semester! As a reminder, classes officially begin on Monday, January 22.
Although the California Faculty Association has announced a scheduled strike for January 22-26, we have not canceled classes during that week and the campus will remain open. Some faculty will continue to hold class, and others may cancel class. Students should check with their instructors about their individual class schedules and assignments.
The University is taking steps to lessen the potential impact of the strike on students. The strike should not interfere with students’ ability to start and/or add courses. Move-in day for campus housing will not be affected. Students who live in campus housing will continue to be provided with all the usual services. The student union, library, and other student service centers will also remain open. If a class or service is canceled, you are welcome to use this form to share that information with us.
As noted above, the campus will be open. Please allow yourself extra time to get to class or work. Picketing may cause traffic delays.
We remain committed to providing you with the highest quality educational experience. Your understanding, cooperation, and patience are greatly appreciated, and we will keep you informed.
If you have questions about the strike, please visit the University’s Labor Activities website. The Student FAQ section on the website may provide answers to many of your questions. If you have other concerns, you may email the Office of the Dean of Students or call 323-343-3103.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Blanca Martinez-Navarro
Dean of Students
Information regarding Dec. 6 for students
December 1, 2023
Dear Students,
Please read this message carefully for important information about an upcoming one-day strike at Cal State LA that might impact your classes, labs, and appointments.
The California Faculty Association (CFA) has planned a strike at Cal State LA on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The CFA is a union that represents faculty, coaches, librarians, and psychological counselors. CFA members who choose to strike will not work.
You may have seen posted flyers stating that classes are canceled. The University has not canceled classes or posted this information. Although CFA has called a strike, not all faculty will choose to strike; therefore not all classes will be canceled.
Taking the following steps before Dec. 6 will help you determine if your class is meeting and prepare you for the day of the strike:
- Check with your instructors as soon as possible to find out if your class will be held.
- Visit your Canvas course in the days before Dec. 6; your Canvas course might not be available on the day of the strike.
- Check with counselors about appointments, and with coaches about athletic practice schedules.
- Plan now to allow yourself extra time to arrive to class or work on Dec. 6; picketing might cause significant traffic delays.
Cal State LA will remain open for students, faculty, staff, and the public. The University Library, University-Student Union, and most student service centers are expected to remain open. Students who live on campus will continue to be provided with the usual services.
You may see picket lines at the entrances to campus and at other locations. Please remember that you are not obligated to cross a picket line, nor can you be compelled to join one.
If you have questions about the strike, please visit the University’s Labor Activities website. The Student FAQ section on the website may provide answers to many of your questions. If you have other concerns, you may email the Office of the Dean of Students or call 323-343-3103.
Cal State LA faculty who participate in the strike and picketing are exercising their rights through their union agreements. We respect our faculty and their right to strike. Our community looks forward to the CFA and the CSU reaching an agreement.
Sincerely,
Grace Castillo
Interim Vice President for Student Life
Information regarding Dec. 6 for faculty
November 30, 2023
Dear Faculty,
We are aware that CFA intends to strike at Cal State LA on Wednesday, December 6. I’m writing to share information that may be useful to you as the day approaches. We recognize that the decision to strike is not one faculty take lightly. Cal State LA respects your rights under the collective bargaining agreement, and your personal decision.
While you have the right to strike, you are not obligated to strike. Unions are legally prohibited from threatening or coercing members from coming to work. If you work, you will receive the same compensation and benefits you normally receive.
If you choose to strike you will not be paid. You cannot use your sick leave or other accruals (e.g., personal holiday) to be paid for your absence if you are on strike. If you choose to strike, please inform your dean, associate dean, or executive director that you were out on strike or use the dock code in PeopleSoft at the conclusion of the strike.
On December 6, please expect picket lines at the entrances to campus and at other locations. Please allow yourself extra time to navigate campus; picketing might cause significant traffic delays.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email AVP for Faculty Affairs Elizabeth Heise at [email protected] or call 323-343-3810.
Cal State LA values our faculty colleagues—before, during, and after the strike. Our Golden Eagle community maintains hope that an agreement will be reached soon.
Sincerely,
Interim Provost Amy Bippus
Information regarding Dec. 6 for non-CFA staff and management
December 4, 2023
Dear Colleagues,
I’m writing to share important information with you about a CFA strike planned for Wednesday, Dec. 6. The CFA represents faculty, coaches, librarians, and psychological counselors.
During the strike, Cal State LA will remain open, however, classes might not be held. There may be picket lines at the entrances to the University and at other locations on campus. Please allow yourself ample time to get to your worksite. Picketing may cause significant traffic delays.
It is important to remember that our colleagues and friends in the CFA have a legal right to participate in the strike since the factfinding process has concluded. The Teamsters Union has notified the University that it will engage in a sympathy strike on Dec. 6. At this time, no other unions have authorized sympathy strikes. Please remember that individual employees who are absent from work without prior authorization are not entitled to be paid.
Cal State LA values the crucial work of CFA-represented employees on our campus. Our community remains hopeful that an agreement can be reached between the CSU and the CFA.
Sincerely,
Susie Varela
Associate Vice President, Human Resources Management
Information regarding Dec. 6 for MPPs
December 1, 2023
Dear MPPs:
CFA has planned a one-day strike on Wednesday, Dec. 6 that is expected to impact our campus community.
Cal State LA will remain open to students, faculty, staff, and the public. However, classes might not be held and there might be delays in some services. The Teamsters Union has indicated that it will strike in sympathy. As a result, there may be some delays in fulfilling certain work orders.
Please allow yourself extra time to arrive to work on this day; picketing may cause significant traffic delays.
The following communications have been sent to keep our University community informed:
- Communications to students about the strike and how to prepare
- Communications to CFA-represented employees, including strike related-information
- Communications to non-CFA employees who have not authorized sympathy strikes, explaining that they are expected to work
- Communications to Teamsters
The University respects the rights of our faculty and Teamsters colleagues to strike under the collective bargaining agreements. If you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming strike, please visit Cal State LA’s Labor Activities website or contact [email protected].
We’re asking all MPPs to be ready to provide assistance to our students and coverage for our campus operations as needed. We appreciate your continued contributions to our community during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Susie Varela
Associate Vice President, Human Resources Management
Message from the President regarding Nov. 14
November 13, 2023
Dear Cal State LA Community:
As you may be aware, the CSU-Teamsters Local 2010 have announced plans for a one-day strike on our campus and other CSU universities on Nov. 14. CSU representatives and the Teamsters have not been able to reach an agreement through the collective bargaining process. While I remain hopeful that they will reach an agreement, I want to share with you some important information about a possible strike.
On our campus, the Teamsters represent skilled trade workers in Facilities Services, Housing and Residence Life, and the Department of Public Safety. They are electricians, carpenters, painters, plumbers, locksmiths, air conditioning/refrigeration mechanics and other skilled trade workers who play crucial roles in maintaining our campus. We are grateful for the important work of these staff and their contributions to our University community.
Tomorrow, our University and all other CSU universities will remain open to students, faculty, staff, and the public. Classes will be held as usual. We anticipate that campus operations and administrative services will be available and scheduled events will be held. The strike should not interfere with students or other work on campus. However, please allow yourself extra time to get to class or work, in the event picketing causes traffic and other delays.
In the event of a strike, the CSU offers the following reminders:
- No individual can be compelled to take a position on the strike
- Those striking may not block or otherwise obstruct access to campus, campus services or the classroom
- There may be picket lines at the entrance to the campus. You may also choose an entrance that does not have a picket line.
For more information, please visit our Labor Activities website.
We respect the rights of skilled trade workers to exercise their rights under their collective bargaining agreement, and we hope for an agreement in the days ahead. I ask that we all continue to do all that we can to help our community through this time. Our support for each other, especially during moments like this, is what defines our Golden Eagle family.
Sincerely,
Leroy M. Morishita
Interim President