College contract deal expected
After 19 months without a contract, a settlement might be in the offing between the higher education officials and the union representing faculty at 14 state-owned schools in Pennsylvania, including West Chester and Cheyney Universities in the Philadelphia region.
After 19 months without a contract, a settlement might be in the offing between the higher education officials and the union representing faculty at 14 state-owned schools in Pennsylvania, including West Chester and Cheyney Universities in the Philadelphia region.
Kenn Marshall, spokesman for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), said Sunday that PASSHE and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties "have agreed to the framework for a new contract" to replace one that expired June 30, 2011.
The two sides met all day Friday, most of Saturday, and again Sunday morning.
"It appears to have been a marathon session, but it looks like it should lead to an agreement at this point," Marshall said, offering no details.
Steve Hicks, a Lock Haven University English professor who serves as president of the 5,500-member teachers union, could not be reached. Union members are expected to meet Monday night to discuss terms of the proposed agreement.
Among the issues dividing the two sides were pay for part-time instructors, health-care benefits and compensation for online courses.
In early November, union members authorized their leadership to call a strike, if needed. Later that month, the union announced that, to minimize disruption for the system's 115,000 students, no strike would be considered until spring.
Besides Cheyney, Lock Haven and West Chester, the state campuses include Bloomsburg, California, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg and Slippery Rock.