UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Leaders of Teamsters Local Union 8 and Penn State officials today (July 5) announced they have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract that will provide economic reliability and job stability for 2,600 University technical-service employees, who are represented by the union.
“We are glad that we were able to reach a tentative agreement with the University on the terms and conditions of this contract, which will benefit our membership whose work is vital to Penn State operations,” said Jon Light, president of Teamsters Local Union 8. “There were many challenges over the past year, including the pandemic, and our members — the front-line workers — remained flexible and committed to the work that needed to continue. This new agreement provides technical service employees sustainable wages, secured health care, and greater protection for our jobs allowing us to continue the essential work we do for this University toward its mission.”
A contract ratification vote by Local 8 members on the agreement is expected to take place in mid-August. If the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified, it will replace the current agreement, which expired June 30. If members agree to the contract, it will be retroactively effective July 1 and cover the three-year period through June 30, 2024.
“We are pleased that negotiations have concluded and we look forward to the acceptance of the agreement by the union membership,” said Rob Hartman, interim assistant vice president for Penn State Human Resources. “We appreciate and respect our employees, who have successfully navigated the challenges of the past 15 months, and we value our longstanding relationship with Teamsters Local 8. We have all worked hard to develop a contract that is fair and reasonable, and we hope the membership will bring this work to a successful conclusion by voting to ratify this agreement.”
Teamsters Local Union No. 8 represents the bargaining unit of technical-service employees at University locations throughout the Commonwealth, in areas such as Office of Physical Plant; Housing and Food Services; the Airport; Auxiliary and Business Services; and Transportation Services.