Gov. Wolf Releases Statement After Faculty At Pennsylvania State Colleges Decide To Strike
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- The union for more than 5,000 faculty and coaches at 14 of Pennsylvania's state universities is officially on strike. The strike impacts more than 100,000 students.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf released the following statement on the decision:
"I am extremely disappointed in the failure of PASSHE and APSCUF to reach an agreement on a contract. The resulting strike is detrimental to the system and will have far-reaching effects for years to come.
In just under two years I have increased funding to the state system by more than $30 million, a 7.5 percent increase over 2014-15, in order to begin restoring the harmful cuts made under the previous administration.
The shortsightedness on both sides is counter to my efforts on behalf of the system and hurts the dedicated professors and university staff, and students and their families who are paying tuition to these universities.
Everyone's top priority should be the students and their families who are counting on an agreement to ensure Pennsylvania continues to deliver on its promise to provide a world-class college education. I urge both sides to return to the table immediately and continue negotiations until an agreement is reached."
The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, APSCUF, represents about 5,500 faculty and coaches at the State System universities: Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania.
"I'm Not Going To Be Taught By Some Replacement Professor"
The strike began at 5 a.m. Wednesday morning.
