HACC Statement about a Nov. 2, 2021, Media Report on Unionization

A media outlet has reported that the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) is allowing the HACC faculty union election process to progress. The article published on Nov. 2 partially quotes the PLRB order that the College submitted a showing of interest list that was “factually and legally inaccurate.” Unfortunately, what the article fails to include, however, is that HACC’s interpretation of the formula upon which the showing of interest list was developed was “reasonable and understandable,” as stated in the following statement from the PLRB order:
 


Additionally, the article quotes the PLRB order implying that the College attempted to pad the showing of interest list. What the article fails to include is that the PLRB stated in footnote 3 of its order that there was no indication of fraud or impropriety by the College:


While it is accurate that the PLRB directed the showing of interest list to be updated, it did not suggest any wrongdoing by the College.

In the article, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) is quoted as repeating its claim that the College attempted to stall the election process. As noted above, the PLRB order expressly recognized the reasonableness of the College’s position and, in fact, identified that there was confusion generated by the wording in its own Acknowledgement document.
 
It remains the College’s view that the position taken by the PSEA results in the exclusion of 276 adjunct faculty members from the process of determining the showing of interest. These adjunct faculty have a continuing relationship with the College but did not receive a paycheck on the 26th pay in December 2020. The College believed then, and continues to believe today, that its effort to include these individuals on the showing of interest list was appropriate, legitimate and fair to those adjunct faculty. PSEA’s position, from the College’s perspective, shows that this organizing campaign is just about the numbers for PSEA and not about acknowledging the value of those 276 dedicated faculty.
 
The College will continue to provide the facts and correct inaccurate information presented by PSEA or others.

About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges. HACC offers approximately 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 15,350 students. Also, the College serves students at its Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses; through virtual learning; and via workforce development and continuing education training. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on Twitter (@HACC_info), follow us on Instagram (@HACC_edu), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews.