Union representing faculty sets strike date, talks continue

    The union representing faculty and coaches at 14 state universities in Pennsylvania has set a strike date.

    The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties says its members will strike on Oct. 19 if a new contract settlement is not reached.

    The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education during negotiations this week proposed raising faculty pay by 12 percent while seeking other contract changes.

    The union’s president says they remain at odds on a number of proposals, including faculty workloads.

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    The union represents about 5,500 faculty and coaches at universities including Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, Kutztown and Shippensburg, among others.

    State System spokesman Kenn Marshall says a “strike by faculty runs counter to everything that higher education stands for.”

    The two sides say they’ll return to the bargaining table.

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