Sep 20, 2016 2 min read

The union representing faculties at 14 state-owned universities, including California University of Pennsylvania, asked for talks to move into binding arbitration as intensive negotiations continued to avoid a walkout.

Meanwhile, the state System of Higher Education will ask the state Labor Relations Board to allow both sides to submit offers and supporting documents to a fact-finder, whose recommendations would not be binding, state system spokesman Kenn Marshall said Tuesday.

He said the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties has in twice in previous contract years asked for binding arbitration and both times the state system rejected the offer.

The state system board of governors “does not think it’s appropriate for them to give up their responsibilities” in reaching a labor contract with the 5,500 state professors and coaches.

Binding arbitration involves the appointment of a three-member panel made up by one person from each side and a third person agreed to by both sides.

The request for binding arbitration followed the state system’s announcement Monday it would seek a fact-finder through the labor department to guide negotiations, said APSCUF President Kenneth M. Mash.

“It’s unfortunate that we needed to take that step to prompt any action; we want to reach a conclusion,” Mash stated in a Tuesday news release.

Negotiations were in their third consecutive day Tuesday, two weeks after the union authorized its leadership to call a strike if talks sour. Talks were scheduled to resume today when the union will see its 449th day of work without a contract.

Both sides are at odds over a number of issues, including the state system’s proposal to rely more on adjunct professors to teach classes.