Oct. 11, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Kathryn Morton, or 717-236-7486
APSCUF chapter offices will move off campus 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in preparation for next week’s possible Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties strike.
APSCUF offices at all 14 state-owned universities will relocate so faculty members will not need to cross picket lines.
“We will be going to the negotiations table Friday with every intention of trying to reach an agreement, but we will be ready for every contingency,” APSCUF President Dr. Kenneth M. Mash said. “We are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.”
APSCUF announced last month that faculty members will go on strike 5 a.m. Oct. 19 if the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education does not bargain a contract APSCUF believes is fair to students and members. APSCUF objects to State System proposals that would affect the quality of education faculty members could provide to their students.
The negotiation teams are scheduled to meet Oct. 14–16. APSCUF offered to meet Oct. 8–9 — a weekend faculty negotiators weren’t teaching — but the State System rejected those dates.
The faculty contract expired June 30, 2015, and negotiations have been ongoing since late 2014.
APSCUF represents about 5,500 faculty and coaches at the State System universities: Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania.