LHU custodial employees fear for their jobs over “outsourcing”

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Members of AFSCME Council 13 Local 2360 at Lock Haven University went to Triangle Park Saturday to express their concerns about a proposed outsourcing of jobs within the university’s custodial department.

Custodial workers, faculty members and Lock Haven Mayor Joel Long were among the speakers at the hour-long rally. Afterwards, Shawn O’Dell, Local 2360 President, told therecord-online the school’s proposed outsourcing could eliminate over 50 staff jobs. O’Dell said she has been told by school officials that LHU is accepting bids for the outsourcing but has not been able to learn specifically who and how many might be affected.

The local university is also facing a considerable faculty downsizing as part of the proposed state System of Higher Education plan to integrate Lock Haven University with Bloomsburg and Mansfield universities. Speakers included Pete Campbell, president of the local APSCUF teachers union. He said LHU is looking at a 30 percent faculty reduction, 67 positions, through June of 2022. He urged the audience of well over 100 people to “fight to keep quality education” at the local school.

Much of the rally’s wrath was directed towards Daniel Greenstein, state system chancellor. Campbell said two state representatives unhappy with the proposed integration have called for the chancellor’s resignation. He urged the assemblage to seek support from local elected representatives.

Mayor Long said the proposed consolidation is being rushed through, stating those affected “want more answers, want more options.” He asked, “Why the big rush?” and called for a fix to the state system’s fiscal problems “without eliminating so many jobs.” He said the city has been a “partner” to LHU for 150 years, but the system “is not treating us like a partner.” Long said he is not talking to the system chancellor, but asking its board to “slow this thing down.”

Several custodians at the university gave moving comments on their years at LHU, citing stories of their assistance to students new to the university.

There were also periodic chants, among them, “Hey Dan Greenstein, why don’t you just resign” and “Save the nest; No Bloom west.”