Dive Summary:
- Following another negotiating session this week where the faculty union hoped to discuss its latest contract proposal with Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education managers, the faculty for Pennsylvania's 14 state universities appears to be growing weary as little progress was made and it approaches 18 months with no contract.
- System spokesman Kenn Marshall says management is continuing to evaluate the contract, which union officials say contains hundreds of thousands of dollars in concessions and adjustments that include changes in its position on distance education pay and prescription co-payments.
- The union--which voted overwhelmingly this month in favor of authorizing a strike that could happen in spring--issued a news release that questioned the system managers' desire to reach a settlement, and the next bargaining session is scheduled for Wednesday with two more dates set in January.
From the article:
Patience appears to be wearing thin for faculty at the 14 state universities, including Shippensburg and Millersville, as they close in on 18 months of working without a contract. Today's negotiating session did not improve their optimism that a settlement was near. “Our students deserve for both parties to be serious about reaching a resolution. Sadly, there is no indication that the Chancellor (John Cavanaugh) is equally committed to the collective bargaining process," said Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties President Steve Hicks. ...