Classes start tomorrow (Tues) for the spring semester at Kent State University. And it looks like the professors will likely avoid a strike. The professors and the administration have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract . Ideastream’s Mark Urycki reports.
Kent State professors have been working without a contract since August.
Talks with a mediator fell apart in November when the Kent chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the KSU administration could not work out terms agreeable to all sides.
In December it was left to fact finder Gregory Van Pelt to come up with his own proposal. In the meantime, the union rank and file voted to authorize a strike.
The sticking points have been over healthcare benefits. The KSU administration wanted to restrict family plans that covered spouses of professors. Teachers pay extra for that option today. But the university wanted to drop any spouse who had a healthcare plan through his or her own workplace. The union was also upset with the salary increases offered by the school of 2% the first and second year and 1.5% the third year.
The fact finder issued his suggestions last week. The report has not been made public but the union’s Executive Committee and Tenure Track Council have unanimously accepted it. And the administration has also accepted it. The rank and file will vote on the deal Wednesday through Friday followed by the university board of trustees.