Faculty on strike at 14 Pennsylvania state universities

(AP) — Faculty at 14 Pennsylvania state universities went on strike Wednesday morning, affecting more than 100,000 students, after contract negotiations between the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and the faculty union hit an impasse.

The state said overnight its latest proposal would provide raises to all permanent and temporary faculty and a health care package identical to what other system employees have.

"By removing many of the more contentious issues from the table, we have demonstrated our willingness to participate in the normal give-and-take of negotiations," State System spokesman Kenn Marshall said.

Marshall said the two sides made significant progress during negotiations, including reaching tentative agreements on more than a dozen significant issues, including distance education, recruitment and retention of high-quality faculty and professional responsibilities outside of the classroom.

If APSCUF won't agree to share more of the costs for their own health care — like everyone else has — it will threaten our ability to keep tuition affordable for students, Marshall said.