Members of the chapter executive board at CSU East Bay pledged their support for the Occupy Oakland protestors this week by issuing a statement and an invitation to join CFA at Occupy Oakland this Wednesday, November 2.

The statement reads:

“As faculty at Cal State East Bay, we have seen firsthand the devastating impact of budget cuts.

“We understand the state budget cuts to the CSU in the context of austerity programs being imposed on working and middle class communities both in the US and globally. Our faculty union (California Faculty Association) has been involved in a protracted struggle with the CSU administration over issues of access to the University, the quality of the education we provide, and the labor conditions under which we work. As faculty, we defend the right to an affordable, public education for all. We know that we cannot win this battle alone. In order to restore funding to public education, we need a large social movement that effectively challenges downsizing of the public sector.

“We recognize the Occupy Wall Street/Occupy Oakland movement as having the potential to change the course of history for the poor and working-class communities we serve. We stand in support of and solidarity with Occupy Oakland's Day of Action on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 and call on our members to join the demonstrations at 9AM, 12 Noon, and 5 pm. At 5 pm we will form a contingent to march behind our CFA union banner."