State System OKs contracts with 14 schools, including Clarion

The state has approved contracts for faculty and staff at Clarion University of Pennsylvania and the 13 other state-owned universities.

The membership of each of the unions previously ratified the agreements, all of which were negotiated separately earlier this year, after a strike lasting nearly a week by faculty and staff.

For faculty and coaches, the agreements also include health care plan revisions designed to produce cost savings for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education while ensuring the continuation of a comprehensive package of medical and prescription drug coverage for the employees.

The new agreement with the faculty union runs through June 30, 2018; the agreements with the coaches and nurses will expire a year later. The contract with the police and security officers expires in August 2017.

The separate agreements between the State System and Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, covering faculty and coaches, are retroactive to July 1, 2015.