BREAKING | YSU trustees reject fact-finder report

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown State University Board of Trustees voted today to reject a fact-finder's report which recommended raises for faculty.

Only trustee James Roberts voted against rejecting the report.

Trustees voting to reject the report said they found it did not appropriately represent the financial challenges YSU faces due to the coronavirus pandemic.

YSU President Jim Tressel called the report "very disappointing," claiming it lacked significant analysis and explanation.

"We felt the fact-finder left us and the board with no choice but to reject the report," Tressel said. "That said, we are anxious for further talks."

The development is the latest in an ongoing contract dispute between YSU and the union representing university faculty, YSU-OEA.

YSU-OEA has an informational meeting scheduled for tonight as well.

The union leadership notified university administrators of its plan to strike last week. If a deal is not reached during a Wednesday negotiation session, a strike vote will open for YSU-OEA membership.

This story was originally published October 5, 2020 at 5:50 PM with the headline "BREAKING | YSU trustees reject fact-finder report."