PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The faculty and support staff at Community College of Philadelphia have scheduled a strike authorization vote because they say contract talks have yielded little progress.
CCP administration and three bargaining units representing full-time, part-time and custodial staff ended a three-hour negotiating session Friday without an agreement.
The previous contract with 1,400 members of American Federation of Teachers Local 2026 expired last August.
Frustrated with the pace of progress, the union has scheduled a strike authorization vote to begin March 10. “It may come to that, because the administration is refusing to engage with us and refusing to negotiate on things that are important to us,” said Doug Buchholz, a full-time English professor.
The union is seeking salary increases of 9%, 9%, 6% and 6% in a four-year deal. CCP is offering 5%, 4% and 4% over three years. “People can't stay. We can't keep and retain good people when they're making so little,” union secretary Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela told KYW Newsradio Friday.
Local 2026 is also demanding free SEPTA passes for faculty and students and increased staffing. “When the classes are so big, it's hard to engage with every single student,” said math professor Yusefa Smith.
In a statement, Dr. Shannon Rooney, CCP’s vice president for enrollment management and strategic communications, said progress was made during recent negotiations.
“We continue to bargain in good faith and intend to meet with the Federation during spring break,” Rooney said.
“Our hope is that negotiations will successfully conclude with the culmination of three fair contracts and no impact on the spring semester, ensuring minimal disruption to our students. The College continues to prioritize providing wage increases for faculty and staff while also maintaining best-in-class health care benefits.”