YSU-OEA strike: How did we get here?

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated with the correct percentage of members voting against the strike.]

YOUNGSTOWN — After 10 months of unsuccessful negotiation with the Youngstown State University administration, the faculty union is going on strike.

The strike vote opened Thursday and closed Saturday. Of the 337-member union, 326 members voted, with 86 percent voting to strike, 9 percent voting against the strike and 5 percent abstaining from the vote.

The strike will begin Monday at 8 a.m., the first day of YSU fall break. YSU-OEA is hopeful the dispute can be resolved before classes resume on Wednesday.

In a statement Saturday night, administration called on the union to continue negotiations as soon as possible and present a counterproposal.

"Let's remain optimistic," YSU President Jim Tressel said in an the email. "You have shown great perseverance through this difficult year and worked hard to overcome many obstacles. We are committed to ensuring that you'll be able to successfully complete this semester without disruption."

After the strike vote results were publicized, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) released a statement in support of the union.

"Given the uncertainty the pandemic has caused, I'm glad that an independent fact-finding report revealed that the YSU budget is in fact solvent. I am troubled, however, that following the release of this report, the administration remains unwilling to negotiate faculty compensation on par with inflation. I stand in solidarity with the YSU staff, and urge the administration to negotiate in good faith, quickly to ensure these educators are able to continue providing a high-quality education for YSU's students," Brown said.

The contract negotiation process began in December 2019. When 20 sessions with a federal mediator did not solve the dispute, both parties hired Judge Betty Widgeon to mediate.

YSU-OEA voted to authorize a strike July 16.

The decision to authorize a strike in July was spurred in part by the university's academic restructuring plan announced May 28. The plan cut 18 departmental chair positions and is expected to save the university $1 million annually in the face of cost and revenue issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Momentum toward a strike ratcheted up once Widgeon's report was released Sept. 25. The report recommended most aspects of the current contract be maintained. It also recommended a 6-percent raise for faculty over three years.

YSU-OEA voted to approve the report Oct. 2, calling it "fair and equitable." YSU trustees rejected the report Monday, arguing it fails to take into consideration financial challenges facing the university due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A 6-percent raise over three years would cost the university $4.2 million, the university said in a statement, adding this year, YSU is facing a $3.7 million drop in its general fund and a 4.4 percent decline in enrollment.

YSU's budget for the 2020-21 school year is $168 million. Assuming the budget does not change dramatically, the budget for the life of the raise would be about $504 million, meaning the raise would impact the budget by less than 1 percent.

According to the union, the administration offered a 2 percent raise over three years. The administration offered an enhanced proposal Friday that would amount to a 3 percent raise over three years.

Negotiating teams for both parties met Wednesday and Friday, but got no closer to reaching a deal.

On Thursday, YSU-OEA opened a strike vote to members. The following day, the union set up strike headquarters on Youngstown's North Side.

To further complicate the final days of the negotiation process, YSU administration announced Friday night it made a tentative agreement with university employees represented by the Association of Classified Employees.

"The pact calls for essentially the same economic terms presented and rejected today to the faculty union, which has filed a notice to strike starting Monday, Oct. 12," a release from the administration read.

In a statement early Saturday, YSU-OEA disputed the claim, saying ACE received a better financial offer from the university. YSU-OEA said it supports ACE's decision, which discontinues furloughs in January.

"Additionally, ACE members have already promised their support to YSU-OEA if they should strike, promising to be present on the picket line during their time off from work," the faculty union added.

YSU-OEA also reiterated its contract priorities: legal security for vulnerable faculty members, the continuation of current departmental processes and a fair financial proposal.

This story was originally published October 11, 2020 at 8:00 AM with the headline "YSU-OEA strike: How did we get here?."