HARRISBURG, PA — Thousands of Penn State faculty members are preparing to vote on unionization next month as state lawmakers examine claims of administrative resistance and calls for improved pay and working conditions.
What This Means for You
- Penn State faculty will vote on unionization beginning April 1
- The outcome could affect wages, governance, and workplace policies
- State lawmakers are reviewing concerns raised by both faculty and administration
The Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee this week held a hearing to gather testimony from faculty organizers and university officials as the unionization effort moves toward a formal vote.
What Is Happening
Faculty members are organizing under the Penn State Faculty Alliance, affiliated with the Service Employees International Union Local 668.
Approximately 5,600 faculty members across Penn State and its branch campuses are eligible to participate in the election.
Ballots will be mailed beginning Tuesday, April 1, and must be returned by Tuesday, May 6, with results determined by a majority of votes cast.
Why Faculty Are Organizing
Faculty organizers said concerns about pay, transparency, and decision-making authority have driven the effort.
Dr. Julio Palma, a professor at Penn State Fayette, said organizing began during the COVID-19 pandemic when faculty felt excluded from key decisions.
“Universities are pillars of a healthy, democratic country,” Palma said. “Decisions about faculty shouldn’t be made without faculty.”
Organizers cited federal data indicating Penn State ranks near the bottom among Big Ten universities in several faculty salary categories, while some administrators and athletics leaders earn more than $1 million annually.
Jargon Buster
Unionization: The process by which workers vote to form a labor union that can negotiate with employers over wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Concerns Raised at Hearing
Lawmakers said the hearing aimed to address allegations from faculty organizers that the university has used tactics to discourage unionization.
“Faculty should be able to decide whether to unionize freely, without pressure or interference,” said Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia.
University officials disputed those claims.
Jennifer Wilkes, Penn State’s vice president for human resources, said the university has maintained an open dialogue throughout the process.
“Penn State deeply values the contributions of our faculty,” Wilkes said. “Regardless of the outcome, we look forward to continuing to help our faculty thrive.”
What Happens Next
The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board will oversee the election process.
If a majority of participating faculty vote in favor, the union would be certified as the official bargaining representative for faculty members.
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