The union representing 5,000 state university faculty and coaches across Pennsylvania voted overwhelmingly to approve a four-year labor agreement, union representatives announced Friday.
Of the members of Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties who voted, 96% were in favor of the deal.
The agreement will now be considered for approval by Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors.
Union officials said details of the new contract will be disclosed once it is fully sanctioned.
If approved, the agreement would mean a prolonged period of labor peace at a crucial time for the 10 state-owned universities with about 85,000 students, including those at PennWest University, Slippery Rock University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Western Pennsylvania.
“These contracts are the result of countless hours of hard work by faculty, coaches, and the System’s management,” said union head Kenneth M. Mash. “This work resulted in fair contracts that allow our universities to keep providing students with a high-quality education while being mindful of college costs.”
The previous faculty and coach contracts expired June 30, 2023. That contract remains in effect until new collective bargaining agreements are ratified.
