Contract Negotiations Information
This site has been established by Kutztown University to provide the latest information regarding contract negotiations between the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF). The faculty union is one of seven units PASSHE has a collective bargaining agreement with. Agreements have been reached with six units to date.
It is the hope of PASSHE and Kutztown University that the faculty contract will be ratified well in advance of any labor action. In the event of a labor action, Kutztown University has a strike contingency plan that would be put in place. Ultimately, it is our primary concern to ensure our students continue moving toward their degrees.
Latest News
March 20, 2013
PASSHE Board of Governors ratifies contracts with faculty, coaches
Harrisburg - The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors today ratified a pair of new collective bargaining agreements with the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), the union that represents both university faculty and athletic coaches. read more
March 8, 2013
APSCUF approves tentative agreement, now goes to Board of Governors
The membership of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) has voted to ratify the tentative agreement it reached last month with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). The agreement will now go to the PASSHE Board of Governors for final action. read more
Feb. 3. 2013
PASSHE, APSCUF agree on framework for new faculty contract
Harrisburg -The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) have agreed to the framework for a new contract with the approximately 5,500 faculty at the 14 state-owned universities. More information will be made available as the ratification process continues.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth, with about 115,000 students. The 14 PASSHE universities offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. About 500,000 PASSHE 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. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg and the Philadelphia Multi University Center in Philadelphia.
Jan. 24, 2013
PASSHE Board of Governors Chairman issues statement on contract negotiations with faculty union
Guido M. Pichini, chairman of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors, commented today on the status of contract negotiations between the State System and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), the union that represents faculty at the 14 state-owned universities. Mr. Pichini made his remarks during the Board's regular quarterly meeting. Read the statement
Jan. 21, 2013
Message from Dr. Cevallos
A message from President Cevallos, updating students on the status of contract negotiations between the State System (PASSHE) and the faculty union (APSCUF). Read the message
Jan.11 , 2013
SCUPA ratifies tentative agreement with PASSHE, negotiations continue with APSCUF
Harrisburg - Members of the State College and University Professional Association (SCUPA) have "overwhelmingly" ratified a new contract with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). SCUPA represents approximately 600 admissions, financial aid, residence life and other student support services officers on the 14 PASSHE campuses.
Meanwhile, negotiations between PASSHE and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), the union that represents State System university faculty, resumed today, with the two sides continuing to make progress toward a settlement.
Read the article (link goes to PASSHE website)
Dec. 19, 2012
PASSHE, APSCUF cancel bargaining session
Harrisburg - The bargaining session scheduled for today between the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) has been canceled by mutual agreement. The two sides plan to resume talks on January 4, with additional scheduled negotiations to follow. Read the article (link goes to PASSHE website)
Dec. 14, 2012
PASSHE, coaches reach tentative agreement on new contract
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the union representing athletic coaches at the 14 state-owned universities have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract. Read the article (link goes to PASSHE website)
Dec. 5, 2012
PASSHE seeks to address cost savings, students' needs in final union talks
The following op-ed article on the status of contract negotiations between the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) was written by PASSHE Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Labor Relations Gary Dent. Read the article (link goes to PDF at PASSHE website)
Nov. 19, 2012
PASSHE-APSCUF faculty negotiations update
Dear Kutztown University Students and Parents/Guardians (KU students, please share with your parents):
We have received numerous inquiries regarding ongoing contract negotiations between the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and APSCUF, the union representing the State System faculty (Kutztown University is one of 14 PASSHE institutions).
This past weekend, it was announced that the APSCUF membership has voted to authorize a strike. This does not mean that there will be a strike - in fact, it means only that the chapter presidents have been given the authorization by their members to call for a strike. Should a strike occur, Kutztown University would activate its contingency plan and remain open for business.
It is important to remember, though, a settlement has always been reached prior to any labor action in the past. With that in mind, PASSHE looks forward to continuing negotiations toward a fair contract. Further negotiation sessions are currently scheduled for December 11 and 19.
In the meantime, we will continue to post updates on this negotiations webpage. We have included links to both the PASSHE homepage, which includes contract negotiations updates, as well as the APSCUF webpage. Please check back regularly for the most up-to-date information.
Please have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving.
Matt Santos
Director of University Relations
Kutztown University
Nov. 9, 2012
PASSHE Negotiations Update
Visit the PASSHE website for the latest information on the APSCUF contract negotiations. It includes a summary of PASSHE's latest proposal to APSCUF, which was presented during the Nov. 9 negotiations session, as well as detailed summaries of proposals related to healthcare and temporary faculty.
Nov. 1, 2012
PASSHE/KU release frequently asked questions
Oct. 20, 2012
The leadership of APSCUF held a legislative council meeting on Oct. 20. A strike authorization vote was taken at that meeting. It is important for you to know that this was NOT A VOTE TO STRIKE. It was a step in the process that must be taken before a strike vote actually could be taken.
Oct. 17, 2012
PASSHE message to student government presidents
I have heard from a number of you today requesting guidance on the status of negotiations between the State System and APSCUF, our faculty union.
First, please allow me to provide you with some background information. PASSHE employees are represented by seven separate labor unions. We have reached final or tentative agreements with six of them. In fact, we announced a tentative agreement with SCUPA today, the union which represents admissions, financial aid, residence life, and other student support services. Each of the settled contracts is structured to assure that any new costs incurred are offset as much as possible with savings through redesigned health care benefits or changes in how work is done.
APSCUF's most recent contract with PASSHE expired on June 30, 2011. In the absence of a new contract, the faculty has been working under the terms of the old contract. That means no salary increases, changes in benefits, etc. There is no timeline on how long this situation can continue.
We are very mindful of the fact that nearly three-fourths of the revenues for your university come from tuition and fees, with the remainder covered by our annual state appropriation. We are also aware that many of our students and their families are finding it difficult to pay for increases in those costs.
APSCUF recently requested that we enter into binding arbitration to reach a final agreement on a new contract. What that would mean is a neutral third party would be appointed by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to decide the terms of the contract. We denied this request because of our major concern that the neutral party would not be bound to consider the financial ability of PASSHE to pay for its decisions. We also believe the negotiating process works.
That brings us to this week. You should have received a message from the Chancellor's Office yesterday that contains information about the PASSHE and APSCUF current bargaining positions. Your university contact and/or the Office of the Chancellor will update you as events change.
We have asked the university presidents to designate a contact person to be available to answer questions. Please see a list of the university contacts at the end of this message. We will provide the remaining contact information as soon as it is available. I encourage you to reach out to these contacts to help you in responding to questions you might get from your fellow students. You also can refer other students to these individuals so they may speak with them directly.
The leadership of APSCUF is holding a legislative council meeting on Saturday. It is our understanding that there might be a strike authorization vote taken at that meeting. It is important for you to know that this is NOT A VOTE TO STRIKE. It is a step in the process that must be taken before a strike vote actually could be taken. The next bargaining sessions are scheduled for October 22, November 2, and November 9.
I hope this has been helpful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Karen Ball
Vice Chancellor for External Relations
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
717-720-4053
email
KU Contact: Matt Santos
Director of University Relations
email
610-683-4114
Oct. 17, 2012
PASSHE, SCUPA reach tentative agreement on new contract
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the State College and University Professional Association (SCUPA) have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract that would run through June 30, 2015. Read more
Oct. 16, 2012
PASSHE declines APSCUF request for binding arbitration in contract talks
Citing both PASSHE's responsibility under Act 188 and the success it already has achieved through normal negotiations with five of its other bargaining units, the State System has declined a request from its faculty union to submit to binding arbitration to decide final terms of a new contract. PASSHE Chancellor Dr. John C. Cavanaugh notified the president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) of the System's decision and encouraged the union to continue negotiating. Read more
About the Negotiations Site
The purpose of this website is to provide the Kutztown University community with information regarding the faculty contract negotiations. Information will be added to this site as it is available.
For information and the most-recent updates:
PASSHE's Contract Negotiations Updates webpage
