Faculty strike at HACC disrupts classes, draws community and student support
By AJ Sisson
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — Educators at HACC Central Pennsylvania’s Community College are on strike after stalled contract negotiations and no salary increases since unionizing in 2022. The strike, which began following 13 hours of failed talks last week, drew support from students, educators, and community members, but has left many students without instructors on Monday.
The HACC Educators Association (HACCEA), representing over 750 faculty members, says the college has failed to provide fair compensation.
“We are asking for no more and no less than what the board of trustees has already approved,” said Adam Weber, a UniServ representative for HACCEA. “This is about the college saying we are going to punish these faculty members for standing up for their rights, standing up for what they believe in, standing up for better working conditions and learning conditions for these students.”
Faculty members say they have not received a salary raise since 2022, while other college staff have received annual increases of at least 3%. Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, who joined the picket line, taking a rideshare service to the strike, expressed his support for the educators.
“They’ve gone, from what I saw, I think something like 40 months without a raise,” Douglas said. “I think that’s pretty challenging, given especially what the last 40 months have meant for most Americans.”
HACC, in an email to the student body obtained by WGAL News 8, assured that substitute teachers would be available for class, but many students arrived to find empty classrooms.
“I just assumed we were going to have a substitute, like the school email said,” said Anna Taylor, a HACC student. “So I drove 30 minutes here, and the classroom was completely empty. It’s dark. No lights are on. There’s no sign of a substitute.”
Taylor, who voiced support for the teachers, added that students later received an email from HACC’s Holistic Support and Engagement Team informing them that their classes were “impacted by the faculty strike” and offering “relaxing” activities as a resource.
“I do federal student loans, so if I were to drop or withdraw, I’m going to owe that money back regardless,” Taylor said. “So I have to go to class.”
“This is a travesty and a stain on our college, the administration, and it just needs to be fixed,” said Declan Fledderjohn, a HACC student since last Autumn.
The Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) has also voiced its support for the striking workers.
“The HACC administration has dragged out contract negotiations for far too long,” said PSEA President Aaron Chapin. “They have refused to put forth meaningful proposals. Simply put, this administration is engaging in union busting by endlessly delaying negotiations.”
WGAL News 8 requested comment from HACC on the strike, but has not yet fulfilled our response. Educators and supporters say they plan to continue picketing until an agreement is reached.
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