Professors on strike at WCU for first time
For the first time ever, professors across Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) went on strike Wednesday at 5 a.m., following 15 months of failed negotiations between their union and the state system.
“Our hope is that this is short,” said university professor and union spokesman Edward Lordan. “We clearly recognize the hardship this causes for everyone involved.”
Lordan also said the majority of students supported the faculty, and expressed his hope that the strike will get resolved quickly, so as not to delay ceremonies for students set to graduate in December.
“I think some are very concerned, especially those graduating in December. There’s a lot of pressure on them,” he said.
University spokeswoman Nancy Gainer also expressed hope the strike would get resolved quickly, and said everyone is still keeping the students’ best interests at heart.
“The atmosphere on campus is focused on students,” she said. “Everyone wants what’s best for the students.” According to Gainer, university staff has been going from classroom to classroom and dismissing students if their professor did not show up because of the strike.
Shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the university’s interim president, Christopher Fiorentino, sent an email to all university students, informing them the university will remain open, including dining and resident halls.
He also wrote that movies would be shown free of charge in the student union’s theater from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PASSHE spokesman Kenn Marshall said the state system representatives hoped talks could progress enough to convince the union to at least postpone the strike, and that at the moment there are no further talks planned.
“We’re disappointed the faculty chose to go on strike,” Marshall said. “We need to get this over with, and as a system move forward.”
Kenneth Mash, union president, also said there are no plans at the moment to return to the negotiating table. And in reference to reaching an agreement Tuesday night he said, “we didn’t get all that close.”
Roughly 110,000 students across the state system will not be able to attend class unless their instructors decide to cross picket lines.
Reports of at least one professor crossing picket lines circulated early in the day Wednesday. One student on her way to class said she still had a test to take.
While unconfirmed, Lordan condemned any professors who may be crossing picket lines to teach, stating that doing so weakens the position of the union and potentially extends the strike.