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YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown State University Board of Trustees has rejected a fact-finding report, but for now contract negotiations will continue between the faculty union and the administration.
"While there remains significant work to be done to come to a resolution, we believe all sides are committed to working together to develop contracts that are acceptable to everyone in these difficult and unprecedented times in the university's history," said Anita Hackstedde, the trustees board chair.
"While we disagree with our faculty colleagues on the report, we do believe there is plenty of room for compromise and agreement," Hackstedde said. "The union leadership has expressed belief that we can work out differences in the report, and we agree."
Trustee Ted Roberts was the only one to vote against the motion Monday to reject the report.
"YSU-OEA takes this to mean that administration will bring a reasonable and fair proposal to the table when negotiations between the parties resume Wednesday," YSU-Ohio Education Association spokesman Mark Vopat said.
TIMETABLE
YSU-OEA members in a near-unanimous vote last week accepted recommendations of the factfinding report by Betty R. Widgeon, an Ann Arbor, Mich.-based mediator and arbitrator.
With the board of trustee's rejection, negotiations are expected to begin again Wednesday. The union leadership is scheduled to meet with its members to discuss the progress made in the negotiations, and, if necessary, open a strike vote.
Further negotiations with the university will take place Friday. If no agreement is approved by both parties by Saturday, the faculty union may vote to go on strike.
YSU-OEA has 337 members.
"We hope to go back to the table to negotiate a fair and reasonable contract as quickly and equitably as possible so we can all return our full focus to our students," Vopat said. "As (last) Friday's vote shows, YSU-OEA is confident in the findings of the report and we remain committed to supporting our members during this process, protecting long-standing provisions and processes in our existing YSU-OEA collective-bargaining agreement and pushing back against unnecessary cuts."
The university also is negotiating with its classified employees union.
OBJECTIONS
YSU President Jim Tressel stated the primary responsibility of the board of trustees is the financial vibrance and sustainability of the university. He noted several objections to the recommendations included in the report.
"Our belief is the true necessity of us looking after the financial challenges of the institution were not taken in consideration as much as we would have liked," Tressel stated.
The university's leadership noted that:
∫ YSU experienced state funding cuts of $1.4 million and experienced a loss of tuition of approximately $3 million due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That, along with a 6 percent increase in salaries for the YSU-OEA over a three-year period, would have a significant impact on the university.
∫ Some of the fact-finder's reasoning was unclear, ambiguous and showed a lack of significant analysis.
"It is disappointing because both sides spent an amazing amount of time on behalf of the institution," Tressel said.
He added: "I want students to know that the university administration, our faculty and our staff are committed to ensuring a successful and uninterrupted completion of the fall semester."
Even prior to the board's vote, YSU-OEA and university negotiators scheduled a series of meetings to be held this week in an attempt to iron out disagreements and avoid a strike.
rsmith@tribtoday.com