Hofstra University, faculty union agree to contract extension through Friday

The Hofstra University faculty union has agreed to extend its contract through Friday, averting a potential strike during the first week of classes for the fall semester.

Hofstra's chapter of the American Association of University Professors, which represents nearly 600 faculty members, said in a statement Monday that the union and university administration had made "significant progress in contract negotiations over the weekend" and reached agreement late Sunday night on "several major terms."

"We believe continuing negotiations this week provides the best path toward reaching a fair agreement," the union's president, Anthony Basile, said in the statement. "Our faculty members have demonstrated tremendous solidarity throughout this process, and our focus remains on securing a contract that supports our faculty, our students and the continued strength of Hofstra University."

Hofstra University spokesperson Terry Coniglio confirmed the contract extension and said in a statement: "We are optimistic that we can reach a full agreement shortly."

The faculty’s five-year contract was set to expire at midnight Monday. The faculty union had voted earlier this month to authorize a potential strike, with 99% of voting members approving the measure.

It was not clear Monday what the two sides had agreed to.

More than 375 faculty members took part in a virtual meeting Monday evening with union leaders to discuss the ongoing negotiations and "what to expect over the next few days," the union said in an emailed statement to Newsday.

"Professors agreed to continue to teach classes during the contract extension period." the statement said.

Basile previously said the university proposed a salary increase of 2.5% in the first year of the next contract, with 1.5% increases in each of the following years. The faculty union had sought raises of 6.5% each year, after members agreed to a salary freeze during the pandemic.

Basile also has said the administration wanted professors to pay more for health insurance and other benefits.

The last time the union and administration negotiated a contract was 10 years ago. The last time a strike took place was in 1988, according to the union.

Newsday's Nicholas Grasso contributed to this story.