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Professors at Kent State ready to strike

Posted at 7:30 AM, Nov 24, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-24 07:30:07-05

Professors at Kent State University say they're ready to go on strike. 

Contract negotiations with the university have stalled, so professors are ready to hit the picket line if necessary. 

In the member vote, 93 percent (425-30) voted 'yes' to authorize a strike.

The vote does not mean the professors will strike but it gives the executive committee the authority to call one. 

Kent State student media reports faculty picketed outside the university president's office Monday calling for a "fair contract now!" 

Kent State and the union are negotiating a three-year deal for more than 800 tenure track professors but the sides haven't been able to reach an agreement on raises and medical benefits.

According to the union's website, the university wants spouses of workers to get health insurance through their own employers if it's offered. 

Union members also allege that the university is diverting resources from teaching and research toward administrative salaries"and other questionable spending.

The previous agreement expired in August and, right now, professors are working under the former contract.