In a message to students, the Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education announced that despite the faculty union’s ongoing consideration of a potential strike, the academic year at state universities including West Chester University, will go ahead as planned.  

PASSHE added that it is negotiating a single contract for all faculty employees at the 14 universities in the State System. It has also committed to bargaining in good faith with all the labor unions, including the APSCUF.

A meeting of faculty union’s leadership this week will bring a decision to the table on whether to ask its members to take a strike authorization vote during the fall semester. These votes have become a familiar feature in the negotiation process between the union and the State System.

Each time the membership has voted to give its leadership the authority to call a strike if the negotiations broke down, but it has never been implemented.

PASSHE emphasized the importance of faculty members to the success of students and universities. It also noted that the current salaries in State System rank among the highest in the country.

However, higher tuition fees are affecting students. Bearing this in mind, PASSHE has reiterated its commitment to reaching an agreement that is fair to everyone, faculty and students.

Read the whole message and FAQ at passhe.edu here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the West Chester University here.