Faculty at Pennsylvania’s 14 state universities may walk off the job this school year after voting to authorize a strike.
The schools affected in our region includes Lock Haven, Clarion and IUP.
Faculty say they want several issues resolved including: substantially increasing the use of temporary faculty in lieu of permanent faculty, use of students with few graduate credits teaching courses, failure to fund research and development and increased cost for reduced medical benefits.
“The vast majority of faculty clearly grasp the seriousness of the situation,” union president Kenneth Mash said in a statement. However, he added the faculty leaders will not set a strike date until they meet for negotiations at least once more, adding “a strike remains the last resort.”
The union represents about 5,500 faculty and coaches. Coaches will vote on strike authorization Wednesday and Thursday.
Both sides have said, despite the vote, they are determined to stay at the table negotiating. They will next meet on Friday.
Faculty have been working without a contract since June 2015.