CSU Faculty Rally To Seek Salary Increases In Long Beach

LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — More than 1,000 California State University faculty members seeking salary increases rallied  in Long Beach on Tuesday.

Faculty members marched to fight for a 5 percent general salary increase as well as additional rates based on years of service, CBS2's Kara Finnstrom reported.

The CSU chancellors office has offered a two percent increase to faculty saying compensation is a priority, but there needs to be a balance with other costs like maintaining facilities and admitting students.

The California Faculty Association has voted to authorize a strike if the union is unable to reach a contract agreement. However, this would not occur before early next year.

There is currently a $68.9 million funding gap between the union and university's proposals.

Meanwhile, several faculty members claim they haven't had sufficient raises in more than seven years.

The "Fight for Five" march began at 11 a.m. in downtown Long Beach. Faculty members will walk to the chancellors office.

Participants wore red shirts that say "I Don't Want to Strike But I Will."

The CSU Board of Trustees meeting was held at 9:30 a.m. this morning.