Ryan wants YSU faculty pact situation 'resolved in a reasonable manner'

YOUNGSTOWN — U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-17th, said today he would step in and assist Youngstown State University and its faculty union if the two sides can’t agree on a new contract.

“If there’s something that I can do to be helpful, I’m more than [willing] to do whatever I’ve got to do to make sure the situation gets resolved in a reasonable manner,” Ryan told The Vindicator today.

“If people want us to get involved, we’re happy to try and do it.”

The faculty union is scheduled to vote on the university’s final best offer this afternoon.

Many have said if the faculty strikes, it will only add more fuel to the fire when it comes to the Senate Bill 5 vote in November. SB 5 curbs some collective bargaining rights for public employees.

“I think everybody in the community is concerned,” Ryan said. “It’s a difficult time in the local economy, it’s a difficult time in the state economy. [There are] a lot of budget cuts, and these things come to a head during an economic storm or a fiscal storm.”

Ryan had previously quelled public bantering about SB 5 between Tom Humphries, president and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, and Dave Betras, Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman.