Penn College, Faculty Agree on Contract Extension Through 2014-15

Pennsylvania College of Technology and the Penn College Education Association (the organization representing 307 full-time teaching faculty, librarians and counselors at the college) have agreed to extend their current employment contract through 2014-15.

On Dec. 9, the Penn College Board of Directors authorized President Davie Jane Gilmour to enter into the agreement with the PCEA, the only unionized group of employees at the college, provided the association's membership approved it without further changes. PCEA members voted to ratify the extension on Dec. 15.

The extension calls for an increase of 3.9 percent for the salary-system pool in 2012-13, 3.8 percent in 2013-14 and 4.25 percent in 2014-15. PCEA members may receive additional amounts for accumulated units related to length of service and new academic degrees earned.

"This is a fair agreement that holds down costs but enables the college to continue attracting experienced, high-quality faculty to teach here," said Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour. "We are grateful to the leadership and membership of the PCEA for the timely ratification of this extension, which permits us to devote full attention to our shared mission of educating students and preparing them for the workforce."

"We are pleased to enter into this agreement in order to contribute to the stability and long-range planning of the college while, at the same time, providing for the needs of our faculty and our students, said PCEA President James E. Temple. "This is a fair agreement for all."

The contract extension calls for the overload credit hour teaching rate to increase to $930 in 2012-13, $960 in 2013-14 and $1,000 in 2014-15. The overload contact hour teaching rate increases to $620 in 2012-13, $640 in 2013-14 and $667 in 2014-15.

PCEA members will share 18 percent of health insurance costs in both 2012-13 and 2013-14 and 20 percent in 2014-15.

Beginning in 2012, and only for new employees hired with an effective starting date of Fall Convocation 2012 or after, the college will eliminate the indemnity plan as a health insurance option. All current employees hired before that date may remain in the indemnity plan, with the option to change plans at a date designated by the college.

The minimum salary percentage, taking into account health insurance cost-sharing, will increase from 1 percent to 1.35 percent in 2012-13 and 2013-14. In 2014-15, it will increase from 1.35 percent to 1.75 percent.

The individual annual maximum dental benefit will increase from $1,500 to $2,000 for the period extending from 2012-13 through 2014-15.

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