YSU, faculty reach agreement with bonuses, raises

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown State University administration has confirmed what a faculty union spokesman said a week ago: A tentative contract agreement has been reached.

“We’ve reached a tentative agreement, and we’ll now be reviewing and scheduling an opportunity to consider ratification,” said Ron Cole, a YSU spokesman.

Last week, Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez, chief negotiator for the YSU-Ohio Education Association, the union that represents YSU faculty, said an agreement had been reached after an accord had been achieved on health care.

YSU President Jim Tressel at that time, though, said in a statement through a spokeswoman that an agreement was expected early this week.

The two sides had reached agreement on everything but health care Aug. 15, but that issue kept a full pact from being reached.

Both the full union and the university trustees must approve the terms before a contract is finalized.

The university didn’t offer details about the proposal, but Palmer-Fernandez said last week that it provides for a 15 percent employee health-care contribution using a sliding-fee scale, rather than a flat rate.

According to information previously obtained by The Vindicator, it also calls for a combination of pay increases and bonuses but also a reduction in summer pay and elimination of extended teaching service.

Read more about the pact in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.