PA higher education union plans to protest over "stalled" talks

(Harrisburg) -- The union representing faculty at Pennsylvania's 14 public universities plans to demonstrate to protest what the union says are stalled contract talks.

Patrick Burkhart, president of Slippery Rock University's union chapter, says the demonstration will happen during Thursday's board of governor's meeting for the State System of Higher Education.

The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties says the state system is expected to offer a new comprehensive proposal before negotiations on Feb. 1.

Union members have been working without a contract since June 2011. They have authorized their leadership to call a strike if necessary, while state system officials have pledged to rein in rising educational costs.

The universities, which include Kutztown, Millersville, and Shippensburg, serve about 115,000 students. The spring semester starts Jan. 28.