A new contract for faculty at Luzerne County Community College provides yearly raises, while also providing savings to assist in closing a $4 million budget deficit this year.
The college’s board of trustees approved a three-year contract with the faculty union during a special meeting Thursday night. Members of the union, the Association of Higher Education, ratified the agreement on Wednesday. The union represents 113 employees.
Lengthy negotiations averted a strike last week. LCCC President John Yudichak called the agreement “fair, respectful and fiscally responsible.”
“The new faculty collective bargaining agreement represents a collaborative, earnest effort between the college and LCCC’s Association of Higher Education PSEA/NEA to fairly compensate our talented faculty members while making significant strides toward the long-term financial sustainability of LCCC,” Yudichak said in a statement.
The contract comes as the college faces a $4 million operational budget deficit and will receive level funding from the state and Luzerne County this year. The budget is projected to provide net savings of $313,465 over three years.
The college also plans additional budget-savings strategies, contributing to an expected savings of $3.2 million.
Details of the contract
- Sept. 1, 2025 to August 31, 2028.
- Salary increases: year 1 – 5%; year 2 – 5%; year 3 – 4.375%.
- Overload compensation: 3% increase per year
- Retirement: Employees hired after Jan. 1, 2026, will have one retirement option, TIAA-CREF, unless already enrolled in another state retirement plan.
- Early retirement incentive: Eligible after 20 years of service and age 55, with college healthcare ending at 65 and healthcare benefit waiver capped at $7,500.
- Fringe benefits: Adjustments to healthcare plan deductibles and ER copay; benefits waiver capped at $10,000 for new hires after Jan. 1, 2026.
Policy changes in the contract
- Increased faculty overload credits and summer teaching assignments.
- Updated personnel file policies to ensure transparency.
- Increased meal per diem and travel reimbursement rates.
- Commitment to respectful treatment of all employees and adherence to federal, state and local safety regulations.
