The union representing 5,000 state university faculty and coaches across Pennsylvania voted overwhelmingly to ratify a four-year labor agreement, union representatives announced Friday.

Of the members of Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties who voted, 96% were in favor of the deal.

The deal now goes to Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors for approval.

Union officials said details of the new contract will be released after it is fully approved.

If approved, the agreement would mean a prolonged period of labor peace at a pivotal time for the 10 state-owned universities with about 85,000 students, among them those attending PennWest University, Slippery Rock University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Western Pennsylvania.

“These contracts are the product of countless hours of hard work by faculty, coaches, and the System’s management,” said union head Kenneth M. Mash. “This work resulted in fair contracts that position our universities to continue to provide students with a high-quality education while being conscious of college costs.”

The previous faculty and coach contracts expired June 30, 2023. That contract remains in effect until new collective bargaining agreements are ratified.

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