We Are Now in Factfinding – What Does This Mean?

On the morning of September 14, we received a letter from the mediator moving both the CFA Bargaining Team and CSU management’s bargaining team to factfinding. This decision comes after management’s repeated failure to take our demands seriously and their refusal to acknowledge the respect we deserve and the hardships that we currently face in the CSU system.  

During the first day of mediation, we came prepared to move several articles that we thought we would be close to reaching tentative agreements with management, including administrative leave with pay, summer term employment, sick leave, holidays, and CFA security.  We were successful in reaching agreements on those. However, on our second day of mediation, we were only able to come to an agreement on one proposal. On some of our most critical proposals (such as salary, workload, academic freedom, AI, and appointment) we remain very far apart.  

Now that we’re moving into factfinding, both parties will select a representative to serve as its member on the factfinding panel as well as designate a neutral chairperson for the panel. Once the panel finishes its investigation, it will submit its findings and non-binding recommendations privately to both parties. There will then be a 10-day blackout period where both parties can try to settle the agreement before they can publicly share the Factfinder report. 

The publication of this report will be the final step in the statutory process, after which we will be legally allowed to take job actions, including a potential strike.  

In the meantime, it’s up to us. As faculty, we must show the chancellor that we have the power and strength to take back our university from an administration that has routinely prioritized their own interests ahead of the very people who teach, work, and learn here.  

If you haven’t already, please sign our solidarity pledge to show you are ready to fight for the contract we deserve.