Penn State and union reach agreement and avoid strike

Penn State and Teamsters Local Union 8 have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract, avoiding a possible strike by the union, which represents 2,700 university employees. The union announced The company’s website states that the contract would guarantee union members a 20% pay increase throughout the contract term.

Union members are expected to vote on the contract in the coming weeks, at which time more details on the terms of the agreement will be publicly available. If Teamsters members approve the new contract, it will replace the existing contract and will be in effect from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2028.

“We are very grateful to have reached a preliminary agreement with the university,” said Jonathan Light, president of Local 8, in a release“Local 8 and our members are proud to provide exceptional service to the University community and look forward to continuing to do so for the next four years. This contract recognizes the hard work and dedication of our members to the University and the University’s commitment to our members.”

“I am pleased that we have successfully concluded our negotiations and reached a tentative agreement with union leadership. This continues Penn State’s tradition of faithful negotiations and reaching mutually acceptable agreements with Teamsters Local 8,” said Jennifer Wilkes, vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer. “We greatly value our technical services employees and this contract recognizes their important contributions to Penn State and the important work they do every day to help us fulfill our teaching, research and service mission.”

The union had previously voted internally on a strike, which 1,900 members agreed to. Collective bargainingThe Teamsters proposed a 32% wage increase over three years, while Penn State offered a 3% annual wage increase over three years.

The Teamsters Local 8 union represents workers on Penn State’s University Park and Commonwealth campuses. Union members include technical service workers who work in janitorial services, emergency medical services, food service, housing, skilled trades, science, sports, agriculture, research, printing, engineering, transportation, airport services, ITS and media.