Administrator Sukal addresses PASSHE Board of Governors
AFSCME Council 13 Administrator Mike Sukal spoke on behalf of union members working for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) at the October 10 Board of Governors meeting. Watch here.
Administrator Sukal shared his personal connection to the State System through his upbringing in Brownsville, PA, just across the river from what is now the California campus of PennWest University.
“Growing up in Brownsville, California University had a significant impact on me and my community. A vast majority of the teachers in the Brownsville Area School District fostered their calling to teach while attending California University. These educators played a role in determining how we approach the world and taught us how to be open minded and explore, adapt to, and even pursue change in our communities and in ourselves,” Sukal said.
“As for the children of university employees, their parents’ jobs put food on the table and brought peace of mind to their homes. In other words, those jobs nourished their bodies and minds. It was lost on me as a child but today I can see that these universities are often the heartbeat and nerve center of their communities – especially poor, rural communities like mine.”
AFSCME members in PASSHE have been facing a multitude of challenges in recent years, especially with the integration of many of the universities. Members have been taking action through labor/management meetings, legislative lobbying, and persistent conversations with university management to address a variety of issues, all with the goal of improving the institutions for students and workers alike. These efforts continue as PASSHE looks to appoint a new chancellor.
“We stand ready to partner with you, but it will only be successful if we proactively take measures to demonstrate to employees that we are ALL prepared to change for the good of students and our community,” Sukal said.
Watch the video here: