Union plans to file labor complaint against Commonwealth University over uncertainty of layoff notices

This story was originally published by WITF news partner WPSU.  The union representing faculty at Commonwealth University plans to file a labor complaint against the university, alleging its administration is violating their bargaining agreement by sending uncertain layoff notices. More than 200 faculty and staff across Commonwealth University’s three campuses are on notice for potential layoffs by the end of the academic year, as the university looks to balance its budget. In late October, administration sent out 108 retrenchment letters to faculty members at Commonwealth University’s Bloomsburg, Mansfield and Lock Haven campuses. Originally, the university said only 75 faculty would get laid off. “We were stunned and outraged when that number was increased by almost another 50%, said Kara Laskowski, vice president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, or APSCUF. Of the 108 faculty who got a retrenchment letter, 78 are at the Bloomsburg campus, 14