State university faculty to vote on strike authorization this week

(Harrisburg) -- 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 today through Wednesday for professors and coaches at the campuses that include Shippensburg, Millersville, Kutztown and Bloomsburg.

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 December 11.

There has never been a faculty strike in the state system.