Strike FAQs
General Questions
- How long have the College and the Federation been in negotiations?
- Negotiations between the College and the Federation began with a Commonwealth-appointed mediator in January 2024. Open bargaining meetings were held 25 times. During that time, the College has presented five comprehensive proposals for each of the bargaining units. The Federation has presented three comprehensive proposals for the Full-Time Taculty and Adjuncts/Visiting Lecturer Unit and two for the Classified Unit.
- What are the College’s priorities for the negotiations?
- The College remains committed to three fair contracts and its proposals are built around supporting student success and classroom experiences, maintaining best-in-class health care benefits at little or no cost to employees, and increasing wages for all employees while ensuring financial sustainability for the institution.
- What happens during a Federation strike?
- During a strike, Federation employees may walk off the job and form a picket line outside campus buildings. Non-federation employees will be prepared and expected to cover work that is left undone by striking workers for the duration of the strike.
- How will I learn about the status of a Federation strike?
- Information will be shared with you by text and email. Please ensure you are signed up for emergency alerts from the College and continue to monitor your College email account for updates. In addition to text and email alerts, the College will continue to post updates here at ccp.edu/negotiations.
- How long can a strike last?
- Under Pennsylvania labor law, a strike may last indefinitely as long as it does not create a clear and present danger or threat to public health, safety or welfare. The College will continue to do everything it can to restore operations as quickly as possible in the event of a strike.
- What should I do if College staff/faculty block my entry to a building?
- Striking employees have a right to assemble and picket but are not legally permitted to bar your entrance from any campus building. Please contact Public Safety if you are unable to enter a building because of strike activity.
- Will College events be impacted by the strike?
- On-campus events at the Main Campus, Northeast Regional Center, Career and Advanced Technology Center and West Regional Center will likely be canceled during a strike. The College will notify you of event cancellations.
- What should I do if I am approached by a member of the media asking for comment on the strike?
- All members of the media should be immediately referred to Communications Director Megan Lello Fox or Media Specialist Antwon Martin in the Office of Strategic Communications. College President, Dr. Guy Generals, and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Strategic Communications, Dr. Shannon Rooney, are the only spokespeople authorized to speak on behalf of the College.
Student Questions
- Will registration, financial aid and payment services be available?
- Yes, student enrollment support services will be available 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Will the Library and Learning Commons be open?
- In the event of a strike where classes are still in session, the Library and Learning Commons will be open to students from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. In the event that classes are suspended, the Library and Learning Commons will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Will the Bookstore open? If so, what are the hours?
- The Bookstore at Main Campus will be open to students from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays. The Bookstore at Northeast Regional Center will be closed for the duration of a strike.
- Will I be able to access the cafeteria?
- The cafeteria will be closed for the duration of a strike. Vending machines and micro markets will remain available to students throughout campus.
- Will classes be canceled?
- Classes may be canceled during a strike. If classes are canceled, that information will be shared with you by text and email. Please ensure you are signed up for emergency alerts from the College and continue to monitor your College email account for updates.
- Will my decision to cross or decline a picket line affect my grades?
- No, your faculty are not permitted to take such decisions into account as part of your grades.
- In the event of a strike, am I still expected to turn in assignments on their scheduled due dates?
- If classes are canceled because of the strike, then no assignments will be due during the strike.
- Will we need to make up the classes missed as a result of the strike?
- To meet applicable accreditation requirements, you will likely need to make up classes that are missed during the strike. The College will do its best to schedule make-up classes so that graduation or the end of the Spring semester are not impacted or extended but that will depend on how long the strike lasts.
- How might a strike affect my graduation date?
- Any impact on the graduation ceremony date would depend upon the length of the strike. We will notify you if we believe that the duration of the strike will impact graduation or degree conferral. The College will do everything that it can to limit the impact on graduation.
- Will the summer schedule be affected by a strike?
- Any impact on the Summer I or Summer II schedules would depend upon the length of the strike. We will notify you if summer schedules are forced to change. The College will do everything that it can to limit the impact on the summer schedule.
- Does a strike affect all classes at the College, including non-credit courses and workshops?
- A strike will likely halt all College classes at Main Campus and all regional centers, as well as at community-based neighborhood sites facilitated by employees in positions governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Administrator and Confidential Employee Questions
- Does a Federation strike affect my work schedule?
- For the duration of a strike, all administrators and confidential employees will be expected to be working full-time in the office. No vacation days will be permitted, and sick days must be accompanied by proper medical documentation.
- How will I know a Federation strike has begun?
- Information will be shared with you by text and email. Please ensure you are signed up for emergency alerts from the College and continue to monitor your College email account for updates.
- How will I receive updates about the Federation strike?
- In addition to text and email alerts, the College will continue to post updates here at ccp.edu/negotiations.
Federation Employee Questions
- Will I receive pay if I go on strike?
- No. Under state law, the College is prohibited from paying striking employees. However, employees will still receive any accrued pay (i.e. pay for time already worked) and/or accrued benefits.
- What happens to my health care benefits if I go on strike?
- Under state law, the College is prohibited from providing any “compensation” to striking employees, and this may include health care benefits.
- Am I eligible for unemployment benefits while I am striking?
- Under state law, striking employees are not eligible for unemployment benefits, subject to certain exceptions.
- Can the College replace me while I am out on strike?
- Yes. The College has the right, under state law, to hire temporary replacements to perform your job while you are on strike.
- Can the College terminate my employment because I am on strike?
- No. While the College has the right to hire temporary replacements, once the strike is resolved, striking employees are entitled to return to their positions.
- Can the College impose its last, best and final offer if a strike occurs?
- Yes. Under state law, the College has the right to implement its last, best and final offer if a strike has occurred and the negotiations have reached an impasse.
- Do I have to go out on strike or am I allowed to continue to work if I do not want to go on strike?
- Under state law, you have the individual right to choose whether to participate in a strike. However, you should check with the Federation to determine the potential for whether fines or discipline exist for members who “cross the picket line.”
- Can I take vacation or personal time during the strike?
- You may not take vacation or personal time during the strike.
- Am I able to resign from the Federation to avoid disciplinary action and fees for returning to work before a strike ends?
- Generally, if you resign from a union before a strike begins, you should be free from union fines or discipline. If you want to learn more about your options in this regard, please contact one of your Federation representatives.
Negotiations Update (January 16, 2025)
On January 16, 2025, the College presented new comprehensive counteroffers for each of the three bargaining units. Highlights include:
All units
The following wage increases for all full-time faculty, classified employees, credit-teaching adjuncts, visiting lecturers, and part-time hourly and credit-free employees:
- Effective year one: 5%
- Effective year two: 4%
- Effective year three: 4%
Improving the College’s best-in-class benefits by enhancing vision benefits for employees covered by Keystone, while maintaining current premium contributions and deductibles. This includes maintaining the Keystone Medical Plan, CVS Prescription Plan, and Dental Plan as free for all full-time employees and the Personal Choice Plan as free for all full-time classified employees earning less than $60,000 per year.
Agreeing to Federation’s detailed proposal for a Health and Safety Committee.
Classified unit
Increasing minimum hourly wage to $20 per hour in year one, $21 per hour in year two, and $22 per hour in year three.
- $1 differential for each grade with the addition of grades 9 and 10.
- Seniority Bump—After 10 years in the same Grade, an Employee’s wage rate shall be at least 10% above the minimum.
- Increase shift differential from $0.35/hr. to $0.60/hr.
- Increase overtime allowances.
Part-time Visiting Lecturer unit
Wage increases that keep CCP part-time instructors at highest rate of pay in Pennsylvania while also being the only part-time instructors who receive medical benefits.
- Minimum hourly rate for adjunct work increase from $20 to $25 per hour and $25 to $30 for orientations and trainings.
- Merit increases including adjusted rates and titles for eligible adjunct instructors.
- New $500 course cancellation prep fee.
Full-time Faculty unit
- Decreasing classes with current maximum of 36 students to 32 students.
- Decreasing classes with current maximum of 32 students to 28 students.
- Faculty currently teaching 24 credit hours will be moved to 27 credit hours with increased pay.
- Faculty may volunteer to exceed maximum student count with additional pay.
- Modifications to achieving and removal of tenure for academic excellence and student success.
The College remains committed to negotiating in good faith with the Federation and to reaching a fair deal.
Read the College's presented counteroffers for each of the three bargaining units:
Negotiations Update (September 30, 2024)
On August 29, 2024, the Faculty and Staff Federation responded to the College’s April 18, 2024 counteroffer. On September 12, 2024, the College presented new comprehensive counteroffers for each of the three bargaining units. Highlights include:
All units
- The following wage increases for all full-time faculty, all classified employees, and all credit-teaching adjuncts and visiting lecturers:
- Effective year one: 5%
- Effective year two: 4%
- Effective year three: 4%
- No change to the College’s best-in-class benefits with current premium contributions and deductibles. This includes maintaining the Keystone Medical Plan, CVS Prescription Plan, and Dental Plan as free for all full-time employees and the Personal Choice Plan as free for all full-time classified employees earning less than $50,000 per year.
Classified unit
- Wage increases described above, including 15%+ increase for lowest-paid employees in year one.
- Increasing minimum hourly wage to $19 per hour in year one, $20 per hour in year two, and $21 per hour in year three.
- New $1 differential between grades and creation of grades 9 and 10.
- All employees will be moved to new grade as recommended by compensation study and will receive at least the minimum of any new grade.
- Increasing shift differential and overtime allowances.
Part-time Visiting Lecturer unit
- Wage increases that keep CCP part-time instructors at highest rate of pay in Pennsylvania while also being the only part-time instructors who receive medical benefits.
- Credit instructors receive wage increases described above.
- Increases of 3.5%, 3% and 3% for part-time hourly and credit-free instruction.
- Merit increases including adjusted rates and titles for eligible adjunct instructors.
- New $400 course cancellation prep fee.
Full-time Faculty unit
- Wage increases described above
- Average full-time teaching faculty salary (at 30 credits, excluding overloads) will move from $85,639 to $89,921 in year one.
- Total compensation for the same faculty (including salary, insurance and benefits) will move from $167,457 to $175,830 in year one.
- Merit increases
- Larger increases for associate and full professor promotions.
- Larger increase for receiving doctorate.
- Move extra step upon receiving tenure in revised tenure process.
- Remove subtraction table from initial salary step schedule.
At the negotiation session on September 27, 2024, the Federation did not present counterproposals to the College’s offers. Also, after the College responded to questions about Federation priorities and indicated it was working on a counterproposal related to class size, the Federation walked out of the active negotiation session.
The College remains committed to negotiating in good faith with the Federation and to reaching a fair deal.
Read the College's presented counteroffers for each of the three bargaining units:
Part-time Faculty/Visiting Lecturers
Negotiations Update (July 18, 2024)
The College began meeting with the Federation on Jan. 26, 2024, and presented initial proposals on that date. On April 18, the College presented updated Memorandums of Agreement (“MOAs”) to the Federation for the Full-time Faculty, Classified, and Part-time Faculty/Visiting Lecturers. The College believes these proposed agreements build on our shared commitment with the Federation to support and enhance student success, while also recognizing the dedicated faculty and staff who are integral to this work. The Federation has yet to provide comprehensive counterproposals to these MOAs.
Read the Full-time Faculty, Classified, and Part-time Faculty/Visiting Lecturers MOAs in their entirety:
The College eagerly awaits a comprehensive response from the Federation, including responses to the College’s wage proposals. The College wants to reach a fair and equitable agreement before the contract expires on Aug. 31, 2024.