Union members were set to commence systematic two-day walkouts throughout the 23-campus system, which would've put a good part of the 417,000 students in the middle of a labor scuffle during the middle of the spring term. The CSU Board of Trustees was clearly not prepared to deal with this. The sight of teachers, librarians and coaches picketing — perhaps joined by loyal students — was enough for the board to blink. Instead of labor unrest, this agreement comes the way we like it — through friendly talks and mutual accord. The faculty's victory is obvious through the numbers. All faculty members are guaranteed a salary increase of 20.7 percent over four years, while additional raises, mainly through merit, could boost some salaries nearly 25 percent higher. That means the average tenure-track faculty salary rises from $74,000 to $90,749. A full professor will now earn $105,465, up from $86,000.

Here's where we want to put up a caution sign — additional money will have to come from somewhere. Faculty leaders have claimed the system has the additional $200 million needed to cover the increases — if that's true, the solution is crystal clear. Yet administrators say it's not that easy, and claim they will turn to the state Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for solutions.

That sends a warning right off the bat. Lawmakers often pick on the students when they need additional revenue — CSU students watched their fees jump 10 percent just recently. This time, we urge Sacramento to leave the students alone and find the money somewhere else.

The faculty deserves the increase; CSU instructors' pay has been well behind similar institutions around the country. It's about time they got their fair share, and we're delighted they got it without calling an extended recess from class.

Editorial, Oakland Tribune, April 13, 2007