Excerpt from WDTN
Wright State union faculty members (AAUP-WSU) have now been on strike for 18 days.
Friday, AAUP-WSU took their case to the state capitol.
Most of the top negotiators for the faculty union stayed back in Dayton, standing by for a potential meeting with the WSU administration. Meanwhile, many of the faculty members were in Columbus hoping to get the attention of Governor Mike DeWine.
"It is not true that the administration has negotiated in good faith," said Gretchen McNamara, WSU Professor during their press conference.
Some students even shed tears as they shared their testimonials.
"This (the strike) is of significant importance to you, Governor DeWine. As you have expressed your support for the importance of education," said Elyse Angle, a WSU Student.
This is Ohio's longest known strike. The faculty preached to lawmakers, saying this deal could have been done months ago.
"We didn't formally negotiate until October 8th and 9th of last year. Not again until 3 and a half months later..the 7th day of our strike," said McNamara.
At one point, someone asked if Ohio's Chancellor of Higher Education, Randy Gardner, has been involved in negotiations.
Just as soon as that person asked, he showed up.
"We've communicated. We've worked hard and we've been respectful. We've tried to find ways to bring the two sides together," said Chancellor Gardner.
Gardner maintains he's in constant, daily contact with both sides. He's even made trips to campus to get student testimonials.
The student body still has plenty of concerns.
"The implementation of this B-term solution will bump me down to a part time student. I along with all the other veterans in my situation will have to play back our book stipends we've received," said one student.
AAUP-WSU maintains they are willing to make upwards of 8 million dollars in concessions, so long as the union can secure their right to bargain over healthcare.
"The right to negotiate over healthcare is a matter of state law. Encoded in Ohio Revised Code 4117.03E -- employees of public schools may bargain collectively for healthcare benefits," said Travis Doom, a WSU professor.
