Contact: Robin Sowards (USW) - 412-562-6973 or rsowards@usw.org
PITTSBURGH - The United Steelworkers (USW) and Point Park University today jointly announced they have reached tentative agreement on a first contract for more than 300 part-time instructors after nearly 10 months of negotiations that began in December.
The USW and Point Park worked diligently and creatively in an effort to address each party’s interests, and the resulting tentative agreement is a reflection of that. If ratified, the agreement provides significant wage increases and improved job security for part-time instructors through its Aug. 1, 2019, expiration.
USW International President Leo W. Gerard congratulated negotiators for the union’s Adjunct Faculty Association and Point Park on reaching a fair contract and said the union looks forward to working with University administration to face the challenges ahead.
“We are gratified to have addressed many important issues through the collective bargaining process,” Gerard said. “In so doing, we have built a more secure future for the instructors, their students and the university as a whole.”
Paul Hennigan, president of Point Park, said the agreement is a symbol of the important role part-time instructors play at the University.
“Point Park University maintains great respect for its part-time faculty and fully appreciates their strong commitment to academic excellence,” Hennigan said. “This agreement is a reflection of the entire University community’s focus on teaching, learning and student success.”
The ratification process will take place via mail-in ballots and is expected to be completed in October.
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The Adjunct Faculty Association is organizing faculty in Pittsburgh and elsewhere to unify and empower the people who do the work of higher education. The AFA is affiliated with the United Steelworkers, whose 850,000 members include men and women working in many different industries, including metals, paper and forestry, rubber, manufacturing, energy, health care, pharmacies and pharmaceuticals, civil service, finance, law, transportation, and education.
Founded in 1960, Point Park University is a dynamic, urban university with a strong liberal arts tradition. Located in Downtown Pittsburgh, Point Park enrolls nearly 4,000 full- and part-time students in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs offered through the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Communication and Conservatory of Performing Arts.