Bloomsburg University plans furlough of union workers

Bloomsburg University (BU) has begun to cut what will be 91 jobs by June 30, 2022, through attrition and layoffs.

The process is starting with 11 people, including eight janitors and secretaries represented by AFSCME Council 13.

This is extremely disappointing, and it is sad to see that once again, blue-collar workers who don’t make nearly as much as university leadership are being made to pay the price for Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s (PASSHE) consolidation plan.

“We’re talking about human beings, families, lives,” AFSCME District Council 86 Director Zollie Rayner said.

“These are folks who dedicated their lives to making Bloomsburg a better university. They work hard and take a lot of pride in what they’re doing. They deserve to be treated better than that.”

Rayner plans to meet with administrators to discuss options that save the jobs of these dedicated employees.

You can urge the PASSHE Board of Governors to stop these furlough attempts at:

Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Dixon University Center
2986 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-1201

The telephone number for the Board office is (717) 720-4010.