Fair Share bill becomes law

Gov. Gray Davis signed into law on Sunday Assembly Bill 645 that requires nonunion faculty members to pay for union representation.

The bill, called the Fair Share bill, requires that all non union faculty members pay a fee equal to 85 percent of a union member’s dues. The measure does not require nonunion members to become members.

The bill, authored by Assembly member John Burton (D-San Francisco), was dubbed the Fair Share bill by supporters who believe nonunion members should pay something because they benefit from the union without paying the dues.

Around the California State University Sacramento campus faculty reaction to the signing ranged from elation to disappointment.

“The governor’s approval is very welcome and long overdue in the state,” said California Faculty Association president Jeffrey Lustig. “It will make for a much more effective faculty voice in the CSU and in public policy debates.”

Lustig said that California was 17 years behind other institutions because the CSU system did not have a fair share measure in place. He said the CFA has represented their non union member’s interests.

Duane Campbell, professor of bilingual and multicultural education, agreed. He said that the lack of having a fair share arrangement made faculty voice weaker.

“Fair Share will make it stronger, Campbell said.

He said he was happy that nonunion members will now bear some financial responsibility for the benefits the union fought for. He said he was unhappy with individuals that were getting all the perks at the union’s expense.

“That person has been a freeloader,” Campbell said.

Professor Cecil Canton also agreed. “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” he said.

But while many faculty appeared to be happy, some were not.

“I’m disappointed, but not surprised,” said Donald Hall, professor of physics. Hall said he held out hope that the governor would not sign the bill Hall called “undemocratic.”

Hall said that Davis was sympathetic to the union because they supported his bid for governor. Hall said that he distributed a petition around campus encouraging the governor to veto the bill and 197 faculty signed.

Hall said he will now wait and see what, if any, olive branch union leadership will offer to the non-union members they offended.

Psychology professor and nonunion member Lisa Tavano-Hall (no relation) was not as forgiving.

“If I had some lawyer represent me to get that contract, I would fire him,” said Tavano-Hall. “I’ve never seen a contract that said nothing, that guarantees nothing so well.”

Tavano-Hall said that the union, contrary to what they say, does not represent her interests at all.

Professor Joseph Orsini, who teaches business management, was particularly unhappy with the CFA leadership.

“I don’t think these guys are terribly effective,” said Orsini. He said he spoke to a few other faculty who are thinking of joining the union to try and bring in more effective leadership.

While some faculty have taken sides in the issue, multiple faculty refused comment on the issue. Some claimed they did not have enough time to think about the issue.