Pa State Universities to Vote for Strike Authorization

Faculty at Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities are set to begin strike authorization votes amid discussions for a new contract deal.

Voting is scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for faculty and coaches at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education schools.

Members of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties have been working without a contract since June 2011.

Among the issues separating both sides are higher health care deductibles and co-payments as well as compensation for online education.

A union committee will meet Friday in Harrisburg to count ballots from the strike authorization votes. The union represents more than 6,000 faculty and coaches.

The next negotiating session is set for Dec. 11. There has never been a faculty strike in the state system.