On Oct. 15, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., WCU’s chapter of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty (APSCUF) and the local chapter of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) will host Union Day on the academic quad.
The day will include speeches by state and local union representatives, such as Ken Mash (APSCUF state President), Frank Snyder (Secretary-Treasurer of PA AFL-CIO), Dave Fillman (Director of AFSCME District Chapter 13), Tom Tosti, (Director of AFSCME District Chapter 88), Fran Pierce (PSEA/NEA), Gabby Jones-Casey (Fight for 15 Philadelphia), and Will Dickens (Working Families Party).
“It is important to acknowledge what unions have done for the United States,” said WCU-APSCUF President Mark Rimple, who will also speak at the event. “In a time when unions are coming under fire increasingly from special interests, we must show our students and our communities what unions can do for workers. A union community is a stronger, more successful, and more prosperous community.”
Over the past two decades, the percentage of West Chester University funding that comes from the state of Pennsylvania has been significantly reduced, and the faculty union continues to express concern that this trend will have on the quality of education and the tuition students will pay to attend a public university.
Students attending this event will learn more about the importance of unions now and in their future careers.
In addition to speakers, the event will also feature information tables as well as music by the student activist band, Squid Brothers.
For more information on this event, please contact Dr. Cheryl Wanko, of WCU-APSCUF, at CWanko@wcupa.edu or 610-436-1064.
Dr. Ed Loran is a communication studies professor. He can be reached at ELordan@wcupaedu. Dr. Cheryl Wanko is an English professor. She can be reached at CWanko@wcupaedu.