Faculty Union Preparing For Strike At 14 State-Owned Universities

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The union for faculty at Pennsylvania's state-run universities says its members are ready to walk off the job.

A strike date is set for a week from today.

While the strike is not certain, it is a possibility and the faculty members are preparing. They are currently relocating their offices off of university property in case it happens.

Should the strike happen, it would affect more than 5,000 members of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties.

Their contract expired on June 30, 2015. The union announced faculty members would go on strike on Oct. 19, if a bargaining agreement isn't met.

The union represents faculty and coaches at 14 state-owned universities.

Union president Dr. Kenneth Mash released the following statement:

"We will be going to the negotiations table Friday with every intention of trying to reach an agreement, but we will be ready for every contingency. We are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best."

Last month, California University released a statement about the possible strike. It said that if there is a strike, they will remain open.

Students aren't looking forward to professors potentially missing class.

"I'm not very happy about it. Just because this semester I'm doing really good and for me to take a break, I wouldn't like that at all," sophomore Brooke Lincoski said.

"The students don't really want to show up for class because it's not going to be our professors teaching it and we won't get any assignments that are relevant to our degree," freshman Oscar Carvajal said.

The president of the California University chapter of the faculty union issued a statement to KDKA-TV. It reads:

"Preparations for the strike are in full swing. Tomorrow, the APSCUF office will be moved off campus at 10 a.m. We will be prepared bright and early on Wednesday, Oct. 19 for the strike. We are currently holding question and answer session with students." 

On Tuesday, Edinboro University sent emails to their students saying they will remain open as well. The attendance policy will be in effect and students should continue to attend classes.

Stay With KDKA.com For More Details

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter