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California State University Faculty Threaten April Strike Over 5 Percent Raise Demand

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — More than 26,000 California State University teachers may walk out of classrooms this spring as they battle the state over wages, calling it a "fight for 5."

"We don't want to strike, but we will," said California Faculty Association president Jennifer Eagan. "Unlike our peers we have not been able to keep up with the cost of living in California and recover from the recession."

The CFA is demanding a 5 percent increase in salary, and says a five-day strike on all 23 campuses is possible. The chancellor has offered a two percent raise that teachers called a lowball offer.

"It barely keeps up with inflation and does not bring our faculty out of the deep hole of 10 years of stagnated wages," said Kevin Wehr.

Student Jocelyn Baez talked with one of her professors.

"I mean he's been here for a long time and he hasn't even gotten a raise so I was like Yeah, you should go for it," she said.

But senior Sione Fuapau says five days out of the classroom could hurt him.

"We put a lot of time and effort into getting our education and for them to do it right now, especially as a graduating senior, it wouldn't be a plus on our side," he said.

In an email statement, a university spokesman said the collective bargaining process is continuing and says the strike shouldn't interfere with students graduating on time.

If the two sides fail to reach an agreement in the next two months, CSU faculty could walk out of class starting on April 13.

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