Penn State technical service union employees vote to authorize strike. What that means

Members in a union that represents thousands of Penn State employees overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if needed once their current contract expires.

Teamsters Local 8, a union of technical service employees at Penn State, has been in contract negotiations with the university since early May. Their contract expires midnight June 30. Between Tuesday and Wednesday, union members voted on whether to authorize the union’s executive board to take strike action if necessary.

Members overwhelmingly voted in favor of authorizing a strike — of the 2,053 members who voted, 1,878 voted in favor, or 91%, and 175 voted against authorizing a strike.

It was a historic turnout, union president Jon Light said in a phone interview Wednesday evening.

“We have slightly under 2,500 members, so that’s the most I’ve ever seen vote on anything,” Light said.

The vote doesn’t mean the union will go on strike. But Light said it gives them leverage to get a contract “we deserve.” In May, he said they’re going after a historic contact. According to Penn State’s human relations website, the union’s most recent wage proposal is 32% increases over 3 years, up to 50% in additional market adjustments on top of wage increases, cost of living adjustments, among other items.

Penn State’s most recent wage proposal is 3% each year until 2026. Wage increases in the 2021-2024 contract were 2.5% in 2021 and 2022, and 2% in 2023.

“We need a raise, and it’s got to be a fair contract. … That’s what (the vote) is a reaction to, and hopefully University hears that, and their leadership here clearly understands and then values the work that we do by actually sitting down (and saying), ‘Now, let’s get this contract up,’” Light said. “That’s still our goal. That’s what we’re still focusing on, and, end of the day, that’s the number one objective.”

He said he’s heard the university say they have the same goal and both parties are still at the bargaining table. He hopes the vote shows Penn State just how important a fair contract is to them.

In a release, Penn State said the technical service employees are “valued members” of the community and integral to the university’s operations. Jennifer Wilkes, vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer, said they work hard to maintain a competitive wage and benefits for employees.

“We remain confident in our ability to secure a new contract with Teamsters Local 8 and continue building on our history of good working relationships with unions and represented employees,” Wilkes said. “Our goal has been and continues to be to reach a fair agreement with the union. Our sincere hope is that a contract is reached and a strike is avoided, which is why we are continuing to focus our efforts at the bargaining table, where solutions are found.”

What happens if there’s not a new contract in place by July 1?

“There’s an expiration for a reason,” Light said.

In Penn State’s statement, the university said in the event of a strike, it intends to and is prepared to continue operations.

Teamster Local 8 is a union of technical service employees for Penn State who work in custodial service, hospitality service, food service, housing service, trades, science, athletics, agriculture, research, printing, engineering, transportation, airport services, ITS and media at University Park and commonwealth campuses, according to the union’s website.

Since the vote was announced, other local groups have thrown their support behind Teamsters Local 8.

Michelle Rodino-Colocino, president of the Penn State chapter of the American Association of University Professors, in a statement said they’re standing with Teamsters.

“We recognize the important work our fellow employees do across our campuses, and we respect our coworkers as individuals and in their collective call for a fair contract. We support Local 8’s taking action to ensure a fair contract and support them on the picket line should they take such action,” Rodino-Colocino said.

Connor Lewis and Denelle Korin, president and executive vice president of Seven Mountains AFL-CIO, said the labor council and its affiliate unions are supporting Teamsters Local 8 throughout this process. In an emailed statement, they said the Teamsters are the “backbone” of Penn State campuses and deserve a contract that values their essential work.

“By standing up, Teamsters are fighting for a better university for all Penn State employees, and for our community,” their statement reads. “Penn State has disregarded employee well-being for too long. It’s high time President Bendapudi’s administration starts getting serious about fair employee treatment, whether or not they belong to a union. They can start by reaching a fair deal with Local 8.”

The Pennsylvania State Education Association’s regional governance is also in solidarity with the Teamsters. In a statement, PSEA Central Region President Del Fuller and PSEA Central Division President Anne Styborski said they’re urging Penn State to bargain a fair deal.

“As Presidents of PSEA’s Central Region and Division, encompassing over 10,000 educators and education support professionals, we know how crucial staff are to making institutions of learning run. Penn State could not function without Teamsters Local 8 members, and they deserve a fair contract that honors their crucial role in the University community,” the statement reads.

Penn State will post updates on negotiations, as well as frequently asked questions, on its HR website, hr.psu.edu/union-negotiations.