Penn State union votes to authorize strike

Teamsters Union Local 8, which represents 2,700 technical services employees at Penn State, is voting to authorize a strike as negotiations continue on a new contract to replace the one that expires June 30.

Teamsters Local 8 represents janitors, food service workers and other employees at University Park and on campuses across the state. Voting began Tuesday and ends Wednesday at 5 p.m.

The Teamsters’ website states that they have “seen very little movement from the university on our wage proposal and they continue to drag out the process.”

“We need to let them know that we are serious about securing substantial pay increases for our members,” they said in the question-and-answer session on the strike authorization.

The university has proposed a salary increase of three percent for the next three years, according to its website with information on collective bargaining.

The Teamsters say their bargaining committee will do everything in its power to reach an agreement, but on Facebook, leadership is urging members to vote to strike to give the bargaining team a chance to negotiate a “fair contract.”

In a statement, the university administration said it was “optimistic that a fair and competitive agreement will be reached.”

“Ask union members for permission to strike is a standard part of the bargaining process and in most cases does not result in a work stoppage,” the statement said.