June 28, 2019
State System, APSCUF negotiations head into July as progress continues
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
With their contract expiring June 30, progress continued during five consecutive days
of negotiations between faculties at Pennsylvania’s state-owned universities and Pennsylvania’s
State System of Higher Education. By law, the current collective bargaining agreement
remains in effect until a new one is ratified.
Interest-based bargaining is slated to continue July 17, 18, 22, and 23 at Dixon University
Center in Harrisburg. Following three days of IBB last week, this week’s marathon
took place at the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties
office in Harrisburg.
The teams have discussed and made progress on several articles, APSCUF President Dr.
Kenneth M. Mash said. They did not release specifics about topics covered thus far.
“The collaborative approach we have seen on both sides represents our shared interest
in the future success of our System, our universities, and our faculty,” State System
Chancellor Dan Greenstein said. “This is as promising as it is productive, and is
resulting in thorough and important discussions.”
Mash said he was optimistic about the upcoming sessions.
“We continue to keep the students’ best interests and the future of our universities
in mind as we work on a fair contract for the faculty,” Mash said. “We continue to
appreciate the presence of the chancellor and Board Chair Cindy Shapira as we engage
in constructive conversation.”
The IBB strategy focuses on collaboration instead of traditional exchange of contract
proposals.
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education oversees 14 four-year public universities
educating more than 90,000 students across the Commonwealth. The State System offers
more than 2,300 degrees and certificates in more than 530 academic areas.