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Negotiations meeting ends due to concession demands
APSCUF and PASSHE negotiators met today, Friday, August 31 at the APSCUF office in Harrisburg, as requested by the Chancellor’s team. At last week’s session APSCUF’s team presented a proposal that would have saved the System between $300,00-500,000 per year in health care costs. The meeting quickly ended after the Chancellor’s team began by abruptly dismissing APSCUF’s proposal and demanding APSCUF concede more before discussions proceed. The Chancellor’s team continues to demand concessions in active health care, retiree health care, workload for temporary faculty, and distance education. Currently, the two sides plan to meet next week, September 7, at the Dixon Center in Harrisburg.
APSCUF president attends education forum at the White House
GOP Platform is Detrimental for Public Higher Education
On Tuesday at its national convention, the Republican party adopted its official platform for higher education. The platform calls for a return to “basics” with a focus on programs that are directly tied to employment opportunities. The platform states that expanding technical institutions and the online for-profit sector will put pressure on four-year institutions and lower the cost of degrees.
APSCUF’s stance on CAEL
Since last week’s Inside Higher Ed article, there have been many questions raised about APSCUF’s knowledge and position on CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning; sounds like a green vegetable no one wants to eat). Hopefully, this posting will answer some of that.
Modest Negotiations Progress Made
The APSCUF and PASSHE negotiations teams met today, Thursday, August 23, at the Dixon Center in Harrisburg. Modest progress was made as PASSHE presented a wage proposal that was closer to the AFSCME pattern and APSCUF offered a health care proposal. However, the two sides remain far apart with regard to distance education, retrenchment, retiree health care, workload for temporary faculty, and health care. The parties will meet again on August 31 at the APSCUF office in Harrisburg.
Related information
On June 25, 2011, Gov. Corbett reached an agreement with the Council 13 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Read more about that contract agreement here.