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Faculty union takes another step toward a possible strike

The union representing faculty at 14 state universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education will set the date for a phone call to discuss holding a strike authorization vote.

The union representing faculty at 14 state universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education will set the date for a phone call to discuss holding a strike authorization vote.

Citing "stagnant" negotiations on Friday, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties said delegates from all 14 campuses will join via conference call on Aug. 25 to decide whether to take a strike authorization vote.

The move comes even though the administration and union have several other bargaining sessions planned over the summer, the next one on July 19.
If the majority of delegates agree, a date will be set, the union said in a press release. In April, delegates agreed to postpone a vote as the end of the semester drew near.

"We are fully prepared to stand up for our current students, our future students, for all our alumni, and ourselves," said Ken Mash, a political science professor at East Stroudsburg University and president of the union, which represents more than 6,000 instructors and coaches.

The two sides have been negotiating for 18 months; the previous pact expired a year ago. Neither side has made specific salary proposals. Health care has been a major sticking point.

The starting salary for a full-time instructor is $46,609, with the top of the scale at $112,238 for an experienced full professor.

Kenn Marshall, a spokesman for the state system, said the sides are scheduled to discuss healthcare and distance learning at the next session in July and noted that six additional bargaining sessions are scheduled for August and two in September.

The 107,000-student system consists of Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester universities.