College, Education Association Agree on Two-Year Extension
Published 02.21.2002
Pennsylvania College of Technology and the Penn College Education Association have come to terms on a two-year extension for their current labor agreement through 2004-05.
The Penn College Board of Directors approved the extension Thursday. The PCEA, which includes full-time teaching faculty, librarians and counselors employed by the College, approved the extension on Feb. 5. The current three-year contract took effect Aug. 21, 2000.
The extension calls for annual salary increases of 3.25 percent in both 2003-04 and 2004-05. In addition, cost sharing for the employees' health-insurance coverage will be set aside temporarily through 2004-05.
The extension also calls for an increase of the part-time and overload teaching rates for faculty to $800 per credit hour and $533 per contact hour in 2003-04. The per-credit-hour and per-contact-hour rates for the final year of the current contract (2002-03) are $775 and $517 respectively.
"The Penn College Education Association was pleased to be able to enter into discussion and endorse an extension to the present contract," said PCEA President James E. Temple. "The Education Association believes this extension represents a reasonable and responsible approach to the needs of all parties concerned. As we approach the next few years, with uncertain state funding for higher education, we also believe this agreement will help provide an environment of stability and will allow for long-range planning by all parties involved."
Penn College President Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour praised the agreement, saying: "I am pleased that the current contract with the Education Association will be extended for two more years. This reflects the continuing positive relationship between the Association and the College. The extension will allow the faculty and the administration to move forward and focus on our primary mission providing a quality educational experience for Penn College students."