West Chester University Faculty Could Strike Beginning Wednesday

West Chester University is one of several Pennsylvania state schools whose faculty could be going on strike on Wednesday morning.

The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties is continuing to work with the State System of Higher Education up until the deadline, which is at midnight on Tuesday. The union said on Saturday that they would not be releasing details of negotiations to the media in the meantime.

"Negotiations continue, and the media embargo remains in effect until further notice," the union said in a statement. " Neither side will discuss any details involving the negotiations nor make any statements related to the negotiations during the period of this embargo."

Various issues are at stake, including medical insurance, workload for professors, the number of adjunct professors, and salaries. The State System has said that they are offering a 7.35 percent to 17.25 percent hike in pay for full time professors, depending on service time. However, increased numbers of adjunct faculty - which are part-time and often receive no other benefits and small pay - means less job opportunities for full time faculty.

"Negotiations are continuing, and a strike is not certain," the university said in a statement. "WCU remains hopeful that a fair contract can be negotiated."

In the event of a strike, West Chester reminded students that professors "aren't required" to miss classes. They added that they would make every effort to still complete the semester on time.

Another issue would be a possible delay for students scheduled to graduate in December.

"If the faculty union strikes, the University will make every effort to work with the December graduates to finish in a timely manner, especially those with military, employment, and graduate school obligations," the school said.

Although the union said that the first day of talks on October 14 yielded "little progress," they added that they remained hopeful.

"We continue to negotiate because we are committed to doing everything we can to reach an agreement,” APSCUF President Dr. Kenneth M. Mash said. “We hope today will be the day the State System reaffirms its commitment to our students by finally dropping their proposals that degrade academic quality. We will not be complicit in the destruction of quality public higher education in Pennsylvania.”

The existing faculty contract expired June 30. Negotiations have been ongoing since late 2014.

Image courtesy West Chester University.