The Youngstown State University faculty union is speaking out against the hiring of incoming President Bill Johnson's congressional staffers.

21 News reported Thursday afternoon that Johnson is bringing over two of his congressional staff to head up the Government Affairs Office at YSU, which had been dormant for a decade.

Sarah Keeler and Maria Bova are joining Johnson at YSU. Keeler will take the role of Special Assistant of Government Affairs while Bova will be the Associate Director of Governmental Affairs. Keeler's salary is set at $170,000 per year while Bova will make $57,360 annually.

Keeler currently serves as Johnson's District Director and Bova is a Constituent Services Caseworker. The university is also hiring an executive assistant for President Johnson. Tim Harrington, who has been COO and Vice President of Operation for BOC Water Hydraulics in Salem for the past 10 years, will fill the role with a $92,000 salary.

The YSU-OEA news release says 13 faculty members could be laid off as part of YSU's "efficiency" efforts at the same time as the three new hires.

"Hiring Johnson's staffers – while firing faculty and closing programs, no less – is appalling," YSU-OEA president Mark Vopat said.

Johnson, who is resigning from Congress this weekend, will become the highest paid President in YSU's history, with an annual salary of $410,000, the potential for a bonus, free housing at YSU's Pollock House and a car allowance.

"Given his statements about bloat in higher education, it is shocking to see that his first addition to YSU are three high paying administration positions," Vopat said.