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State University Union To Strike Before Oct. 30 Without Deal September 22, 2016 9:09 AM

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The union representing faculty and coaches at 14 state universities says its members will strike by the end of October if a new contract settlement is not reached.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education said after a fifth day of marathon bargaining sessions Wednesday that it has proposed raising faculty pay by 12 percent while seeking other contract changes

The university system's proposal for eight additional bargaining sessions, including this weekend, was rejected by the union, which announced its intention to go on strike no later than Oct. 30 if no deal is reached.

Earlier this week, the union said it would hold a strike workshop this weekend.

The state system has asked the state's labor board to appoint a fact finder. The union has called the move a delaying technique.

The union represents about 5,500 faculty and coaches at Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester universities. Members have been working under contracts that expired June 30, 2015.

The university system has said a strike would halt classes for more than 100,000 students. The schools would remain open.

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