PA college faculty union says contract talks stalled

(Harrisburg) --The union representing faculty at Pennsylvania's 14 public universities says contract talks have stalled again.

The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties says a bargaining session Wednesday yielded no progress on issues including health care and online education.

The union says the State System of Higher Education is expected to offer a new comprehensive proposal before negotiations on February 1.

Union members have been working without a contract since June 2011. They have authorized their leadership to call a strike.

System officials say they're committed to a fair contract but must rein in spiraling costs.

The union is urging members to express their frustration at the system's Board of Governors meeting on January 24.

The universities serve about 115,000 students, including those on the Shippensburg, Kutztown, Millersville and Bloomsburg campuses. The spring semester starts January 28.