TheState System of Higher Education has asked its faculty union to agree to a contract extension pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed in Commonwealth Court earlier this week by the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF).

The outcome of the lawsuit, which contends the State System’s proposal to alter the rate at which some faculty at the 14 state-owned universities are awarded automatic raises is inconsistent with the law, could affect the System’s bargaining position in ongoing contract talks with APSCUF, which represents its approximately 5,500 faculty.

“If APSCUF’s allegations are correct concerning the State System’s proposal to adjust the salary ranges, the State System would reconsider its position on that point,” said Thomas S. Giotto, the System’s chief negotiator. “As a result, the State System believes that extending the current collective bargaining agreement until that issue is finally resolved, or December 31, 1999, is appropriate.”

A hearing on APSCUF’s request for a declaratory judgment will be held next Friday in Harrisburg.

In the meantime, both sides will prepare for the next round of negotiations, which are scheduled for September 30 and October 1.

The latest contract between the State System and APSCUF expired June 30. Faculty at the universities have been working without a contract since the beginning of the fall semester.

APSCUF has scheduled a strike-authorization vote to be held September 27 and 28 on each of the campuses. Such a vote would give the union leadership the authority to call for a work stoppage at any time. Similar votes have been taken during previous negotiations, but have not resulted in a walkout. State System faculty have never gone on strike.

“We are working extremely hard to avoid a strike, and the harm it would cause our students,” said Chancellor James H. McCormick. “Given the uncertainty caused by the APSCUF lawsuit, we believe it would be in everyone’s best interest to agree to an extension of the contract until the matter is resolved.”

The State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 350,000 System alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg and the University Center for Southwest Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh. The regional centers are part of the Educational Resource Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.