Faculty and state system set to talk contract today

(Harrisburg) -- Pennsylvania's state university system and its faculty are set to meet again as they try to resolve a prolonged contract dispute.

Union members have been working without a contract since June 20-11. They have authorized their leadership to call a strike if necessary. 

Negotiations are set to resume later today.

Hundreds of faculty members from the 14 state-owned universities protested last week outside the State System of Higher Education offices while the board of governors heard from both sides.

The union says the system is making unreasonable demands for concessions on health coverage and other issues.

The state system says concessions are necessary to ensure affordable, quality education.

Four state-owned universities are in the midstate:  Bloomsburg, Shippensburg, Kutztown and Millersville.