The union representing Youngstown State University's faculty, which opened a strike vote amid contract talks with the administration on Thursday, has begun working on a strike headquarters.

The members of the YSU-OEA faculty union are preparing the union's strike headquarters in the event an agreement is not reached with YSU administration's negotiations team at Friday's meeting, scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. Friday.

The strike vote opened at 5 p.m. on Thursday. It will close at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. The strike could start on Oct. 12 if members vote in favor of it. 

The statement comes after YSU-OEA officials called contract talks with the university on Wednesday unproductive. During the meeting, the parties exchanged proposals but were too far apart to make meaningful progress, according to YSU-OEA. 
 

YSU-OEA officials said the administration is steering away from using a fact-finder's report done by Judge Betty Widgeon as part of the negotiations.  

A look at the University's budget by YSU-OEA says that the university's budget concerns were not realized and that further cuts are unnecessary.

Last week, YSU-OEA issued a 10-day intent to strike notice to YSU administrators. YSU-OEA said it views striking as a last resort -- but as a possible response if the YSU Board of Trustees rejects the fact-finder's report, and the YSU administration seeks to impose a contract unilaterally.
 

Youngstown State University released the following statement on Wednesday regarding negotiations:

Negotiating teams for the Youngstown State University administration and faculty union met this afternoon to continue bargaining for a new three-year contract.

The faculty union’s most recent contract proposal includes annual pay increases that would cost the university $4.2 million compounded over the contract's three years. It would be irresponsible for the administration to agree to such a proposal given the university’s financial circumstances.

Another set of negotiations is set for Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.