Blog
APSCUF stands with striking West Virginia teachers
The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties stands in solidarity with the members of the West Virginia Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia, and the West Virginia School Personnel Association in their strike for fair salaries. West Virginia’s low teacher salaries, currently ranked 48th in the nation, cause hardships for teachers and their families and a shortage of qualified educators in the state, as teachers have left for better opportunities in other states.
As post-secondary educators, the faculty and coaches of APSCUF recognize the importance of public education. We support West Virginia teachers’ refusal to accept the status quo.
APSCUF members continue to compile DACA resources
APSCUF’s September 2017 legislative assembly approved two statements about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, one of which called for APSCUF to compile and post a list of local and statewide resources available to students (and staff and faculty) on our campuses whose immigration status is at risk in the wake of the recision of the DACA program.
Click here to view the list in progress. We invite members to contribute more via this link. If you have questions, email Tabetha Bernstein-Danis, chair of the state social-justice committee at or Seth Kahn, chair of the state mobilization committee, at .
Working People’s Day of Action
As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, workers across the nation plan to stand together for rallies and events. Here’s what’s planned for Pennsylvania:
Saturday, Feb. 24:Â Working People’s Day of Action
Philadelphia:Â To join West Chester APSCUF at the Philadelphia event, email or .
Sunday, Feb. 25:
Wilkes-Barre: Working People’s Rally at Luzerne County Courthouse
Monday, February 26:
APSCUF chapter activities: On Feb. 26 — the day of the oral argument — the mobilization committees on many of our campuses will hold events to highlight the benefits of union membership and the real threat posed by Janus. If you do not see any publicity for your campus, contact you chapter president.
Beaver: noon at the Beaver County Courthouse
Greensburg: 4 p.m. at the Westmoreland County Courthouse
Harrisburg: 11:30 a.m. at the Department of Labor and Industry
Pittsburgh: 8 a.m. at Mellon Square Park
Legislative assembly: Contract signed, resolutions passed
From left: Negotiations team members Margaret Ervin of West Chester University, left; Jamie Martin of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, second from right; and Chris Hallen of Bloomsburg University, right, sign the one-year contract. With them is Mary Rita Duvall, State APSCUF’s head of labor relations. View additional photos on APSCUF’s Facebook page. Photo/Kathryn Morton
Delegates from all 14 university chapters met Feb. 9–10 to pass resolutions, hear committee reports, and discuss new business related to quality, affordable higher education during APSCUF’s 193rd legislative assembly, held at Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel.
Resolutions tackled faculty harassment and the use of program review as justification for retrenchment. One resolution declares APSCUF’s support of Pennsylvania Promise. The Pennsylvania Promise plan — laid out in Keystone Research Center and Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center‘s report. “The Pennsylvania Promise: Making College Affordable and Securing Pennsylvania’s Economic Future” — outlines how to make higher education affordable in Pennsylvania.
With negotiations team members together, faculty negotiators took a few minutes to sign the one-year contract, putting it one step closer to press.
Legislators share thoughts on 2018–19 Pennsylvania budget proposal, higher education
Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2018–19 budget includes an appreciated $15 million increase for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. After the governor’s budget address today, APSCUF spent the afternoon in the Capitol interviewing both Democratic and Republican leadership on the proposal and issues affecting higher education, including how members can advocate to keep the increase for the State System in the final state budget. (Spoiler alert: Contact your legislators and tell them your personal stories about why it’s critical for Pennsylvania to fund public higher education.)
State Rep. Joseph Markosek (We had some technical difficulties and finished his video in a second post.)