YSU contract talks resume
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The clock may be ticking as negotiations resume between Youngstown State University and it's faculty.
A federal mediator met in a joint session with both sides on Tuesday, trying to help them agree on a contract and avoid a potential strike before Fall classes begin on August 29th.
There were a series of meetings on Tuesday as the mediator first met with the administration at 10:30 am, and then a short time later met separately with the YSU-OSE faculty union.
At 1:30 p.m. there was a joint session with the federal mediator, but the meeting only lasted approximately 52 minutes. Then both sides went to their separate corners again for a short time.
Stanley Guzell, the faculty union's chief negotiator would only say that there was not much he could say at this point.
On Friday, the board of trustees rejected a fact finder's report that included concessions on wages and health benefits by the union.
The faculty was willing to accept pay raises of 0, one percent, and two percent over three years, and a co-pay on their monthly health care premium that amounts to 15 %.
The faculty union issued a 10 day strike notice on Monday and that means if there's no agreement by August 26th, they could choose to strike that Friday before classes are scheduled to begin.
Sources say negotiations will resume again on Friday.