Hofstra professors could walk out Tuesday amid contract dispute – NBC New York

Hofstra University on Long Island is facing a potential faculty strike Tuesday as a contract dispute nears a deadline, with the current agreement set to expire at midnight Monday.

The AAUP union says negotiations went late into Friday night before being called off, and no further talks are currently scheduled.

Hofstra University faculty members rallied on Thursday as their contract is set to expire Monday (Image: NBC New York)

“We will not negotiate in the press,” said Terry Coniglio, Hofstra University spokesperson.

Hofstra AAUP Chapter President Anthony Basile said negotiations continued “to 11:50 PM Friday night until the administration called them off.”

“There were no sessions scheduled this weekend or tomorrow when the contract expires,” said Basile.

Attorneys are exchanging emails, but both sides are still “far apart” on the raises and healthcare differences, he added.

Faculty members want higher wages. They are also upset that Hofstra wants them to cover more of their healthcare costs.

The AAUP union says Hofstra broke off negotiations late Friday night (Image: NBC New York)

“Hofstra University is actively engaged in negotiations with the AAUP and is committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to faculty and financially sustainable for the University,” said Coniglio.

A group of Hofstra educators, in bold red shirts, rallied on campus Thursday, as new students and their parents checked in close by, saying they feel forced into a corner.

The school says it’s “preparing for a range of possible outcomes” of the negotiations. “The focus is on welcoming students and faculty back to campus this week and beginning the new academic year on Aug. 31,” a Hofstra statement added.

Hofstra University said Sunday that it is “actively engaged in negotiations,” but the union says no new talks are set.

The union said the contract expires at midnight Monday, Aug. 31, and that it plans to hold a membership meeting at 7 p.m. Monday to decide what to do next.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC New York. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC New York journalist edited the article for publication.