UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State today (June 26) provided an update on the status of its ongoing negotiations with Teamsters Local 8 and the union’s recent strike authorization vote.
“We remain confident in our ability to secure a new contract with Teamsters Local 8 and continue building on our history of good working relationships with unions and represented employees,” said Jennifer Wilkes, vice president for Human Resources and chief human resources officer. “Our goal has been and continues to be to reach a fair agreement with the union. Our sincere hope is that a contract is reached and a strike is avoided, which is why we are continuing to focus our efforts at the bargaining table, where solutions are found.”
Negotiations are ongoing. The union called for a strike authorization vote while productive discussions at the bargaining table continue. It is common for unions to seek authorization for a strike ahead of time so they are able to call for one in the future, if they decide to do so. Therefore, a vote to authorize a union to call a strike can be a routine part of bargaining.
“Our technical service employees are valued members of our community and an integral part of our University’s operations,” added Wilkes. “We work hard to maintain a competitive wage and benefits package for our employees.”
Penn State remains committed to negotiating in good faith at the bargaining table to reach a fair and competitive agreement, Wilkes said, and the University has a track record of reaching mutually acceptable agreements with Teamsters Local 8 for the last 50 years.
The University began negotiations with the union representing its technical service employees on May 2, 2024, with the goal of reaching an agreement that recognizes and rewards the hard work of nearly 2,500 valued technical service employees while advancing Penn State’s mission of providing unparalleled access to education and public service.
Although a vote to authorize a strike does not necessarily mean that a strike will take place, Penn State intends and — like any responsible institution — is prepared to continue to operate and provide the high-quality education and experience that students at every campus expect and deserve.
Penn State will continue to keep the University community and the public informed as negotiations progress. For the latest updates on the bargaining sessions and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the public bargaining website at hr.psu.edu/union-negotiations.