Contract negotiations between the 14 state-owned
universities and colleges and one of their largest unions are hitting some
rough patches, and union leaders say they think a faculty strike is a real
possibility in the fall.
State education employees that belong to the Association
of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, or APSCUF have been
working under an expired contract for more than a year.
Negotiations on a new deal are underway.
But state System of Higher Education spokesman Kenn
Marshall said union leaders need to be more willing to compromise.
“We’re trying to achieve a contract that is fair to our
faculty, but also we have to recognize the very, very difficult fiscal
situation that our universities are in—probably the most challenging fiscal
times we’ve ever faced,” Marshall said.
Those challenges largely stem from low enrollment rates,
and state funding levels that are currently at the same as level they were in
1999—and that’s without adjustment for inflation.
APSCUF President Kenneth Mash said it’s the system’s
responsibility to make sure its contracts are competitive.
”If they’re doing their job properly, they should be
trying to secure the funds that are necessary,” he said. “You’re not going to
be able to maintain high quality if you’re trying to constantly balance your
books off the backs of the students or faculty.”
On August 25, APSCUF leaders will decide whether or not
to let rank-and-file members vote for a strike.
If it's a "yes" vote, they can call a walkout
at any time.
Such votes have happened before, but never resulted in a
walkout. But Mash said the union’s concerns should be taken seriously.
“The difference this time is that we’ve been quite open
with them, with our members, and with our students as well that we see the
circumstance as serious,” he said.
“If we move down this path and our members take their
vote, then we are going to set a strike date.”
Source: NewsWorks.org
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