State University Negotiators Head Back to Bargain

Edinboro University professors and teachers at other state universities will not walk off the job on Monday.

But they will be working without a contract.

The negotiations between the professors' union and the state fell apart late on Sunday afternoon.

But as of Sunday night both sides say they are still willing to talk.

They will meet for negotiations in Harrisburg at 10 o'clock on Monday morning.

Both professors and university administration say they do not want to see a strike. 

"Any time both sides are talking has got to be a positive thing," said Edinboro University Professor Ron Spiller.  "I'm going to say that I'm hopeful," he added.

Disputes over pay and health care benefits could still have professors leaving their offices and taking to the picket lines.

A mediator has asked the professors' union to hold off on a strike for 24 hours to give the negotiators more time to reach an agreement.

That means there's an important message for students attending summer school.

"There will be no strike tomorrow (Monday)," said Edinboro University Public Relations Director Brian Pitzer.  "Classes will be held and students should expect to attend classes tomorrow as usual."

Edinboro University is one of 14 schools in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Professors worked without a contract for about a year the last time negotiations broke down.