State University System Contract Talks Continue; Strike Deadline Wednesday

HERSHEY — A news blackout continues as contract talks continue between the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

The most recent round of talks began on Friday and continued into Sunday evening. Both sides in the contract dispute released statements saying a news blackout will continue as ongoing contract negotiations may extend into Monday.

Faculty at Lock Haven University and the rest of the state system schools have been working under terms of the previous contract which expired June 30 of last year. APSCUF has set 5 a.m. this Wednesday as the deadline for reaching a new accord or otherwise the first strike in the system’s 33-year history will begin.

The teacher union at LHU and the other 13 state-owned schools moved their offices from their respective campuses on Thursday of last week; the local office was relocated to the Masonic Temple on E. Main St. in Lock Haven.

Some 105,000 students attend the 14 schools, including some 4,500 at LHU.