APSCUF members vote to begin partnership with AFT

HARRISBURG—Faculty and coach union members at Pennsylvania’s state-owned universities voted last week to affiliate with AFT. After members of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties voted this Monday through Wednesday, APSCUF tallied ballots today in its Harrisburg office. With this step complete, the affiliation officially goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

“We are excited to join forces with a national union with AFT’s reputation and track record,” APSCUF President Dr. Kenneth M. Mash said. “This partnership will enable us to do more for our students, faculty, and coaches, and we’ll be better able to promote the value of higher education at the statewide and national levels. I am looking forward to working with AFT President Randi Weingarten, a leader who fights tirelessly for workers and for everyone’s right to education.”

AFT, formerly known as the American Federation of Teachers, is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO that represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher-education faculty and professional staff; federal, state, and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators. AFT has more than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide.

“I am so honored to welcome APSCUF into the AFT family,” Weingarten said. “We share the same goal: accessible, affordable higher education that enables our colleges and universities to be the economic, social, and academic engines of our communities. That requires fighting for dignity for faculty, resources for our students, and respect for academic freedom. In Pennsylvania, there’s never been a more crucial moment for us to unite: State System campuses are facing unprecedented challenges to their mission, relevance, and funding, and our students need us to ensure they remain a pathway to the middle class. We are truly stronger together, and the AFT will have APSCUF’s back as we fight every day to improve teaching and learning and help our members get the respect they demand and deserve.”

APSCUF has been affiliated with other unions throughout its history but has been independent since the 1990s. Under this affiliation directly with national AFT, APSCUF retains autonomy with policies, collective bargaining, and staff.

“We are still APSCUF — just stronger together,” Mash said.