As the budget impasse moves past the 100-day mark and several universities are poised to raise tuition substantially, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), which represents almost 6,000 faculty and coaches at the State System universities, offered a contract compromise to ensure stability for students and their families.
APSCUF has informed Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education that the faculty will accept an agreement in line with that the one negotiated between the governor and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The State System has already reached similar agreements with its other unions. The details of the offer include a one-year interim contract and a step increase effective in January. APSCUF has also asked that the System provide updated financial information in a timely fashion.
The contract compromise will help students deal with the uncertainty of tuition and the lack of state support. Last week the State System voted to significantly increase tuition at several universities.
“While this compromise does not begin to address our faculty members’ concerns, we believe it is most important to restore some stability for our universities while the General Assembly negotiates a budget,” APSCUF President Ken Mash said. “We all owe it to our students and their families to remove any concern about their faculty remaining in the classroom this academic year.”
APSCUF anticipates a quick and favorable response from the State System board. In addition to the step increase, this offer calls on the System to continue to provide money for faculty research.
The next round of negotiations between APSCUF and PASSHE is scheduled for Friday, November 6, following the System’s cancellation of a session on October 12. APSCUF hopes to immediately begin negotiations on a new contract for the following year.
The State System universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania.
The details of the proposal can be found here.
As the budget impasse moves past the 100-day mark and several universities are poised to raise tuition substantially, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), which represents almost 6,000 faculty and coaches at the State System universities, offered a contract compromise to ensure stability for students and their families.
APSCUF has informed Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education that the faculty will accept an agreement in line with that the one negotiated between the governor and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The State System has already reached similar agreements with its other unions. The details of the offer include a one-year interim contract and a step increase effective in January. APSCUF has also asked that the System provide updated financial information in a timely fashion.
The contract compromise will help students deal with the uncertainty of tuition and the lack of state support. Last week the State System voted to significantly increase tuition at several universities.
“While this compromise does not begin to address our faculty members’ concerns, we believe it is most important to restore some stability for our universities while the General Assembly negotiates a budget,” APSCUF President Ken Mash said. “We all owe it to our students and their families to remove any concern about their faculty remaining in the classroom this academic year.”
APSCUF anticipates a quick and favorable response from the State System board. In addition to the step increase, this offer calls on the System to continue to provide money for faculty research.
The next round of negotiations between APSCUF and PASSHE is scheduled for Friday, November 6, following the System’s cancellation of a session on October 12. APSCUF hopes to immediately begin negotiations on a new contract for the following year.
The State System universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania.
The details of the proposal can be found here.