Concerted Activity Information

Both the California Faculty Association (CFA) and the Teamsters have called off their strikes following their respective tentative agreements with the California State University system.

Yes, SDSU has remained open during normal hours of operation, and students are able to access university resources, to include Student Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, university libraries, the writing and math centers, dining facilities, campus offices and other programs and services.

No. Campus presidents and provosts do not participate in the bargaining process with the union negotiators. Unions negotiate directly with the California State University system.

Yes. To accommodate any additional time needed for spring 2024 courses, the following are adjusted deadlines:

• Jan. 17 through Jan. 28: Students can freely add/drop classes. Students on course waitlists will be automatically enrolled as space becomes available.
• Jan. 29 through Feb. 2: Students can freely drop classes, but must obtain permission numbers from instructors to add classes.
• Feb. 2: Schedule Adjustment Deadline. The deadline for students to add or drop courses in my.SDSU, as well as to submit a request for the credit/no credit grading option in classes that qualify.
• Feb. 3 through Feb. 13: Students can submit a Petition for Late Schedule Adjustment requesting late course adds or late drops, requiring approval of their Assistant Dean. A “W” will not appear on a student’s transcript if the petition for late drop is submitted on or before Feb. 13. The Late Schedule Adjustment Fee ($20) will be waved through Feb. 13.
• Feb. 8: The deadline for graduate students to enroll to be eligible to participate in the Graduate Student Health Insurance Program (GSHIP). While the deadline has not changed for GSHIP, the university is communicating with students to help ensure they address any requirements before the deadline. 

These schedule changes are in effect only for spring 2024 to allow students additional time to make decisions about spring courses without penalty.

Yes. As a public institution, SDSU both supports and promotes the freedom of expression for students, faculty, staff and general community members visiting campus. A strike should not interfere with students being able to complete their courses and graduate on time. Because of the university’s obligations to teaching, research and the support of our students, the university plans to continue its operations in the event of any strike activities. Any action toward those who choose to strike that is retaliatory in nature is not allowed, and the university will not tolerate any form of retaliation. It is important that we, as colleagues and a community, allow each other the freedom to decide whether to participate in concerted activity without fear of retaliation. Retaliatory behavior may be subject to discipline. 

No. Managers should not survey or communicate with employees about their intention to participate in a strike. Asking employees about their intention to strike could be found to violate employee rights under labor law and commenting on participation in the strike can be construed as interference or retaliation. Employees in supervisory or managerial roles should refrain from engaging in conversations with union members about any aspects of the strike. You are not to ask union members if, when or how they will engage in strike activities. It is also important that supervisors and managers avoid making statements condemning or praising strikers’ protected activities. These guidelines apply to verbal and written communications, including postings on social media.

Yes. If an employee asks a question, managers can respond to his/her questions. However, represented employees should be referred to their respective unions about specific questions regarding union membership and union activities.

No, management-level professionals are not permitted to engage in strikes or sympathy strikes, per California State University system policy. 

Faculty and Staff have the right to withhold work and strike, just as faculty and staff have the right not to strike and to continue to engage in work or teaching. Faculty and staff should check with their respective managers about any scheduling changes. 

• For CFA-represented faculty: It is your personal choice to withhold work and strike, or you may choose not to strike. If you work in accordance with your assigned course modality and campus policy, you will receive the same compensation and benefits you normally receive. If you strike, you are not entitled to be paid. It is a misuse of taxpayer dollars for the CSU to compensate any employee who withholds work. When an employee strikes, they withhold work for the entire day. It is unlawful to engage in a partial strike by withholding some but not all work on the same day. If you withhold work, you may not use sick leave or other accruals to be paid for their absence. If you call out sick during the strike, you will be required to provide medical verification. Any employee who withholds work must report their absence for those days upon their return to work. You may advise the appropriate administrator (e.g. Dean/Director) of your absence, inform your timekeeper, or report  dock via an Attendance Summary or in the PeopleSoft absence management system (for 12-month faculty). Please note that benefits that are affected by the percentage of time worked during the month, other than medical, may be affected by an employee’s work stoppage. Any employee who mistakenly misreports their days worked and absences at any time (including in December), should ensure that their absence report is corrected.
• For students and student employees: The strike does not involve student employees. However, strike activity may impact service hours. You should plan to attend classes and keep to any work, research, internship or other commitments. Be in touch with your supervisor or the lead administrator in your area with questions about any work-related responsibilities.  

Except where the discussion is directly relevant to a course’s learning outcomes, faculty cannot and should not use class time to discuss issues related to the strike. Faculty should never try to persuade a student to support or oppose the strike. Nor should faculty require a student to support the strike, walk the picket lines, stay away from campus or walk out of a class as part of a class assignment or in exchange for a grade.

The California State University system and SDSU both have a long tradition of respecting the civil expression of individual views, and individual employees are free to express their views. Employees have the choice to engage in protest activities, but such participation should occur during non-work time, should not conflict with their agreed upon work duties and should not violate established university policies.

Individual faculty members must inform students about their course curriculum and instruction. Students should continue to contact their individual faculty members about classes and course requirements. Further, strike activities should not have any negative impact on the ability of students to complete courses or to graduate on time. Students can share any concerns via an online form developed by the CSU. 

UAW - Unit 11, the union that represents TAs, GAs, and ISAs is not striking. If these employees make an iIndividual choice to withhold work and not complete their assignment that week, they will not be eligible for compensation and will need to report to their timekeeper, supervisor, or dean, the days in which they did not work. 

Yes, you should continue to meet your work obligations. Should there be any changes in your availability or schedule, be sure to contact your direct supervisor. 

Yes, support services remain available to students, faculty and staff. Students will be able to access university resources, to include Student Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, the library, the writing and math centers, dining facilities, the food pantry, cultural and resource centers, other campus offices and other programs and services.

If an employee feels they are being harassed for lawfully engaging in strike activities, or if an employee has been harassed or prevented from working by picketers or striking employees, the employee should notify their supervisor or contact the Center for Human Resources Labor and Employee Relations manager by emailing [email protected].

Tentative CSU-CFA Agreement Approved, Strike has Ended

Work-related Guidance for Jan. 22 through Jan. 26

Add/Drop Deadline Dates Adjusted

Notice of Planned Strike, Guidance for Campus Community (Students)

Notice of Planned Strike, Guidance for Campus Community (Students, Faculty and Staff, )

CSU Guidance Related to Work Absences during Strike Activities

Notice of Planned California Faculty Association Strike at Other CSU Campuses, Guidance for Campus Community

The California Faculty Association (CFA) has announced plans to hold one-day strikes on the following four campuses:

• December 4 at Cal Poly Pomona
• December 5 at San Francisco State University
• December 6 at CSU Los Angeles
• December 7 at Sacramento State University

SDSU remains open, and instruction, events, support services and other activities will continue during any strike activities. Students will be able to access university resources, to include Student Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, the University Library, the writing and math centers, dining facilities, campus offices, and other programs and services

Notice of Planned Teamsters Strike, Guidance for Campus Community

Notice of Planned Teamsters Strike, Guidance for Students

SDSU Imperial Valley: Facility, Service Adjustments

Following negotiations between the California State University system and Teamsters, the Teamsters has authorized a 1-day strike on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. The bargaining unit represents skilled trade workers within the California State University who serve as electricians, elevator mechanics, plumbers, facilities workers, and in other trades. SDSU’s locations are and will remain open during strike activities. The California Faculty Association has also voted to authorize a strike but has not announced further action. Students will be able to access university resources, to include Student Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, the University Library, the writing and math centers, dining facilities, campus offices, and other programs and services. For information on what offers are currently being negotiated, visit the California State University’s Labor and Employee Relations webpage.

Message from CSU Vice President for HR Leora Freeman