2016 Year In Review: The APSCUF Strike

A three-day faculty strike occurred across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) from Oct. 19-21. The strike, resulting from a showdown between PASSHE and the Association of Pennsylvania State College Union Faculties (APSCUF) was the first of its kind for the two organizations. 

As negotiations ramped up — focusing on topics such as temporary faculty and health care — and the strike eventually sidelined the majority of campus classes, Edinboro Campus Media documented each step along the way. What follows is a selection of articles, videos and on-the-day live blogs put together by campus media. You can find the complete list of strike-related articles, here. 

April 21
EU faculty union threatens to strike if changes aren't made

“We’re like five steps away from a strike. But it was the first step,” said Edinboro University chapter president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties (APSCUF) Dr. Jean Jones.

Sept. 7
Will APSCUF Strike?

Students could be packing their bags and returning home sooner than anticipated this fall. Just last week, the Association of Pennsylvania State College Union Faculties (APSCUF) called for a strike authorization vote, taking place from Sept. 7-9 for faculty and Sept. 15-16 for coaches.

Sept. 14
APSCUF votes in favor of strike

It’s been three days since the Association of Pennsylvania State College Union Faculties (APSCUF) voted in favor of authorizing a strike against Pennsylvania's State System For Higher Education (PASSHE).

Sept. 22
APSCUF announces possible strike before end of October

According to APSCUF President Kenneth Mash, October 19th will be the date the strike will happen unless negotiations are complete. 

Sept. 22
The strike, the students, the future

Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) President Dr. Kenneth M. Mash visited Edinboro University last Wednesday to address the recently approved strike authorization vote and answer questions regarding the ongoing contract negotiations with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

Oct. 5
Union and State System’s fact sheets don’t match up, students want real answers

Over 250 Edinboro University students took the survey, expressing their concerns regarding the potential strike, asking questions such as, “Will our credits still count?”; “Will students be refunded if the strike occurs?”; “How long will the strike last?”; and “Why aren’t our professors allowed to discuss this in class?”

Oct. 12
APSCUF members rally in Harrisburg

Nearly 300 members of the Association of Pennsylvania State College Union Faculties (APSCUF) rallied outside a Board of Governors meeting, held at the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg, Oct. 6, to protest for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to propose what they consider a fair contract.

Oct. 18
Live Blog: APSCUF vs. PASSHE

An ongoing blog on the last night of negotiations and leading into the morning of the strike. 

Oct. 19
Live Blog: Strike Day 1

A continuation of the previous day's live blog, now on the ground across Edinboro and other PASSHE univerisities. 

Oct. 20
Live Blog: Strike Day 2

A continuation of the previous days' blogs, now on the ground across Edinboro and other PASSHE univerisities. 

Oct. 21
Tentative agreement ends faculty union strike

Friday afternoon faculty negotiators reached a tentative three-year agreement, which concluded the faculty strike. The tentative contract will end on June, 30 2018. According to the faculty union’s press release, APSCUF members accepted concessions to salary and benefits in exchange for the elimination of the 249 changes PASSHE proposed back in June.

Oct. 26
Students speak up: Their perspectives on strike

Last week, the Association of Pennsylvania State College Union Faculties (ASPCUF) held a three day strike, which sparked a noticeable support from students, some joining the picket line at its beginnings on Oct. 19 at 5 a.m. Many Edinboro University students stood with their professors at the lines, ran errands for them, and delivered treats to them, such as cookies, soup and water.

Nov. 2
Students completing lost class hours with Saturday classes and additional online content

Since the end of the state-wide faculty union strike, life at the 14 Pennsylvania state system universities has returned to normal, with the exception of students having to make up class time that was lost during the three-day strike.

Nov. 2
State system universities recover from union strike

“Our university does not need to recover. Our chancellor needs to recover,” said Ed Lordan, spokesperson for West Chester University Association of Pennsylvania State College Union Faculties (APSCUF).

Nov. 30
Faculty and coaches begin the ratification process for tentative contract

The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) announced that faculty members and coaches state-wide will vote on whether or not to ratify their respected tentative contract agreements in the period from Dec. 5-7.

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