In a strong show of unity, coaches at the 14 state-owned universities have delivered a clear message of support to the APSCUF bargaining team by authorizing it to call a strike if contract talks with the PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) fail to produce an agreement. Coaches have been working without a new contract since July 1, 2004.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania head coach Dave Caldwell gave support for the vote, explaining, "I am glad we stuck together and voted for the strike. Athletics and coaches have been long ignored in the PSAC."

He also added that a strike is a daunting proposition, "Most young coaches are living paycheck to paycheck and will find it hard to walk." For Caldwell, the issue hits home, "I have another child on the way" and he clearly feels the need for a raise from the state.

Final voting results show that 93.8% of coaches approved the strike authorization measure, while only 6.2% were opposed.

According to USA Today, head coaches and their assistants average $47,700 and $33,950 under the old barganing agreement with the minimum annual salary for full-time coaches set at $30,000 and $25,000. Coaches are seeking a $5,000 increase for both, while the state proposes half that.

More importantly, according to coaches, is the state's proposal of a 10% medical insurance co-pay. That's similar to other Pennsylvania contracts but coaches fear that with escalating insurance costs, the co-pay would all but eliminate the proposed 3% pay increase for the approximately 160 coaches making less than $40,000.

“This contract should have been settled a long time ago, and it’s now obvious that our coaches mean business,” State APSCUF President Patricia “Pat” Heilman said.

“With basically no movement in their bargaining positions since last December, coupled with their rejection of binding arbitration as a means to a resolution, the State System has shown no interest in attaining a fair settlement. It’s time for a change.”

The fall sports seasons could be in jeopardy if a new settlement is not achieved. Since APSCUF is the only coaches faculty union in the nation with a collective bargaining agreement, a strike would essentially shut down an entire NCAA Division II conference – the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

The decision to take the strike authorization vote followed a report on the unfavorable status of contract negotiations and the State System’s rejection of APSCUF’s offer to go to binding arbitration.

The affirmative strike authorization vote from the coaches now gives the State APSCUF Executive Council the authority to call a strike if that action becomes necessary. Such a step would be taken upon the recommendation of the Coaches Negotiations Team.

"APSCUF's demands do not place an unnecessary burden on the System's finances. Our coaches have made numerous sacrifices in an attempt to achieve a fair settlement. The System seems to have plenty of money when it comes time to approve management raises or conduct presidential searches. It is time for the System to do the right thing and settle with our coaches,” Heilman said.