Coaches across Pa. state universities reach tentative labor pact with State System

Union and management negotiators have a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract covering athletics coaches across Pennsylvania’s 10 state-owned universities, officials said Thursday.

If ratified by the parties, the pact between the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Facilities and State System of Higher Education would run through June 30, 2027.

Specifics of the deal were not available Thursday. Both sides said details will be released upon ratification. Under law, the parties have been working under the previous contract that expired June 30.

Among the 10 universities covered are the Western Pennsylvania campuses of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Western University (California, Clarion, Edinboro) and Slippery Rock University.

The monthslong talks that cover more than 200 coaches follow an earlier tentative agreement secured in separate negotiations between the State System and more than 5,000 faculty represented by APSCUF. Faculty are to vote statewide on that agreement April 2-4.

APSCUF Coach Executive Leader John Gump said the negotiations were long but ultimately fruitful.

“Our goal has always been to have the efforts of the coaches on our campuses respected, appreciated, and rewarded,” he said in a statement. “While neither side in a negotiation gets everything it wants, I am happy with the outcome.”

State System Chancellor Daniel Greenstein was positive as well.

“This outcome will benefit the coaches, the universities, and — most importantly — our students,” he said in a statement.

In addition to the Western Pennsylvania campuses, State System member universities are Cheyney, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, Millersville, Shippensburg and West Chester.