Police, security officers at Pa. university go on strike
Pittsburgh PA April 18 2023
Nearly 30 Duquesne University police officers and security guards went on strike Monday morning after failing to reach a new contract with the school in Pittsburgh.
The decision came after Keith Frank, the vice president of Teamsters Local 249, told KDKA-TV that the private Catholic college had made a “bad faith” offer on Sunday.
“They’re going to have to look themselves in the mirror. They’re the ones who are pushing it to this point,” Frank told WPXI, according to its news partner the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. WPXI also reported that sticking points remain over pay, retirement benefits and healthcare.
Pittsburgh media outlets reported that union members have been working without a contract since October 2022 and held nearly 20 negotiating sessions with Duquesne.
Gabriel Welsch, vice president of marketing and communications for Duquesne University, said in a statement to PennLive that the college has pursued “good faith contract negotiations” with the union since August 2022.
Welsch said the university appreciated the union’s “willingness to talk through offers and scenarios” and came to “several tentative agreements” to improve working conditions.
Recently, Duquesne made an offer that reflected the highest guaranteed wage increase since the contract covering 2001 to 2006, Welsch said.
“The University’s total compensation package offered most recently to our police officers and security guards is among the most generous in higher education in our region, and includes other significant compensation and incentives,” said Welsch, adding that Duquesne “remains committed to the negotiating process.”
Welsch said that Duquesne Police Chief Eric Holmes “has robust plans to ensure safety and help maintain normal activities on campus.”
