By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) – Faculty and coaches at West Chester, Cheyney and 12 other state-owned Pennsylvania universities are voting this week on whether to authorize a strike. Union members have been working without a contract since June of last year.

Governor Corbett said Monday that, as they vote on authorizing a possible strike, he hopes faculty at the state-owned universities will remember the taxpayers of the state and parents of students, all of whom support the universities.

“And I would urge them to understand, as I have been saying, that education is not recession-proof.”

Lauren Gutshall, spokeswoman for the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, says the union simply wants a fair contract.

“A fair contract that falls in line with what Governor Corbett negotiated with the other major public sector unions in the state.”

Gutshall says union members are not voting on whether to go on strike, but whether to authorize their leadership to call a strike if necessary. The results are to be announced Friday.