Two staff members of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) were arrested on charges of trespassing at Harrisburg Area Community College’s (HACC) Lancaster campus.
The incident occurred when the staff members set up an information table about the college’s faculty union, HACC Education Association. The college deemed this action a “publicity stunt” and accused PSEA of orchestrating it to lead to the arrests.
HACC’s faculty union, represented by PSEA, was formed in April 2022 and has been negotiating contracts with the college since January.
Arrest made for “Defiant Trespassing”
While some union members left the campus after campus security officials asked them to, two employees refused to do so.
They were subsequently arrested for “Defiant Trespassing” after refusing to leave the property when asked by the police.
According to PSEA, these arrests violated state labor law, as the staff members were engaged in protected activity.
Pennsylvania’s Public Employee Relations Act of 1970 establishes the rights of public employees to organize and collectively bargain through selected representatives.
PSEA is considering legal action in response to the incident.
The college defended its actions, stating that external entities, including PSEA, are not allowed to promote their special interests on campus, per campus policy.
It characterized the incident as a “deplorable and disgraceful” publicity stunt orchestrated by PSEA. The faculty union expressed frustration over the incident, stating that HACC has been slow in negotiating contracts since faculty unionized.
This incident adds to the ongoing labor movement in higher education institutions across the United States, with faculty and staff advocating for better working conditions and wages.
