Faculty Across 14 Pennsylvania Universities Could Vote on Strike

Courtesy West Chester University

A union representing faculty at 14 state-owned universities in Pennsylvania is discussing the possibility of a strike.

The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties union said new contract negotiations with the Pennsylvania State Higher System of Education have been “stagnant.”

The faculty contract expired nearly a year ago.

On August 25th, if the majority of delegates from each of its 14 campuses approve, the APSCUF will decide on whether or not to vote on holding a strike.

The union previously postponed a strike-authorization vote set for April “out of concern for students,” according to a press release.

“As the faculty and coaches responsible for providing a quality education, we place students at the center of our decisions,” APSCUF president Dr. Kenneth M. Mash said in a statement. “But the changes the State System wants to make to our contract would make it nearly impossible for our members to deliver that quality.”

At a June 10th negotiation meeting, the State System’s proposal called for an “increased workload resulting in a 20 percent reduction in salary for adjunct faculty” and “a new emphasis on distance education,” according to the APSCUF.

The next bargaining session will be held July 19th.

The APSCUF represents about 5,500 faculty members and coaches at state-owned universities like West Chester, Kutztown, Millersville and Shippensburg, among others.

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