YSU challenges ruling

Youngstown State University will ask Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to overturn an arbitration ruling that grants its classified employees four personal days a year.

The federal ruling, based on a 2004 grievance filed by the YSU Association of Classified Employees, would be costly, with the union estimating that its members would be entitled to back payments amounting to between $600,000 and $720,000.

The university argues that ACE negotiated a contract calling for two personal days per year, and, therefore, shouldn't be entitled to the additional days.

The arbitration ruling ignores the negotiated contract and sets a dangerous precedent for collective bargaining for universities and public employers, according to YSU.

A motion will be filed in common pleas court asking that the ruling be overturned, the university said.