With State Center Community College District faculty saying negotiations on a new contract have stalled, 97% voted “yes” to authorize a strike.

The vote comes after 20 months of “unproductive negotiations,” according to a news release from the State Center Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1533.

Classes resumed for the fall semester on Aug. 10, and instructors continue to teach their classes.

With the next mediation scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 2, the union says it hopes the vote will convince the district to settle on a “competitive contract.”

This is the first time in the local union’s history that a strike authorization vote received approval.

“Shortchanging faculty at the bargaining table is not only shortsighted, but it directly impacts our students and their ability to get the education they deserve,” said union president Keith Ford. “Every day faculty go above and beyond for our students. This is why State Center has some of the highest success rates in the State of California.”

Next State Center Mediation Begins Tuesday

In response, Diana Ramirez, executive director of strategic communications for the district said: “We respect employees’ right to express their views and remain committed to bargaining in good faith.”

“The district is aware of the vote taken by the union during ongoing negotiations,” Ramirez told GV Wire in a statement. “Votes of this nature are not unusual during bargaining and do not have any formal effect on district operations or leadership.”

State Center includes Fresno City College, Madera Community College, Clovis Community College, and Reedley College.

The union says despite going through two dozen bargaining sessions, district negotiators have not offered compensation proposals keeping pace with inflation.

“The district’s failure to invest in instruction and student support services is in direct contradiction to their self-proclaimed goal of providing competitive compensation for all employees,” Ford said in the release.

GV Wire reached out to State Center officials for a response and will update this story when it hears from them.