Harrisburg Area Community College Education Association
For HACC Students...
This page contains a collection of resources on why HACC Faculty have unionized and why we still are demanding a fair contract over three years after we unionized. We are asking HACC students to support us!
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for more information.
Dear Students,
We know this is an uncertain and stressful time, and we want to acknowledge the worry many of you may feel as you hear about a possible faculty strike. It is a stressful time for us, too. Please know that we did not arrive at this point quickly or lightly. For the past three years, we have worked hard at the negotiating table to reach a fair contract, but the administration’s proposals threaten to weaken the quality and stability of the education you deserve.
We want to reassure you of two things:
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We are doing everything possible to avoid a strike. While negotiations continue, faculty have already taken several major steps to resolve this dispute through neutral, third-party solutions:
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Mediation: We use an official mediator at negotiations meetings to help both sides find common ground.
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Fact Finding: We supported the appointment of a state-appointed “Fact Finder,” who carefully reviewed both sides’ proposals and issued a neutral report recommending a middle ground. Faculty voted 97% to accept this report, but the administration and the board refused to even formally address it.
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Binding Arbitration: Faculty also voted overwhelmingly to move to binding arbitration, where a neutral third party writes the contract after reviewing all the data, and both sides are required to accept the outcome. HACC’s administration refused to participate.
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These efforts show how far we’ve gone to prevent a strike. Whether or not one occurs now rests with the administration’s willingness to bargain in good faith.
2. Our actions are about protecting students, too. The administration’s proposals would allow larger class sizes, allow administration to hire underqualified professors, and even claim ownership of faculty course materials, allowing them to continue using our videos and materials long after we’ve left the college. These changes would directly affect your classroom experience, and we cannot allow that to happen without standing up for you and for the integrity of your education.
We will continue to keep you informed as negotiations move forward. If you have questions, we encourage you to read the student FAQ and reach out to us with your concerns. Most importantly, know that your professors are on your side. Our goal is not to disrupt your education, but to ensure that it remains strong, stable, and student-centered for years to come.
With care and solidarity,
Your Professors