BARGAINING
UPDATES

April 17, 2026

On Friday, we met with the administration’s bargaining committee. While we did exchange counter proposals on hours of work, appointments, and artificial intelligence, we are disappointed with the insubstantial changes the administration has been making on their counters. They are also continuing to drag their feet on other key issues, including non-discrimination and academic freedom, and attempting to expand their management rights beyond what has been specified in previous contracts. While these small changes are tedious, we remain vigilant and will ensure the administration does not erode our contract’s strength. To hear more about Pitt’s bargaining practices, check out this article in the Post Gazette!

To celebrate international Labor Day (5/1), we invite all grad workers and our allies to join us in marching in the parade! We will meet outside the USW Headquarters in dahntahn Pittsburgh at 5:30pm.

To get connected to our organizing committee’s efforts, follow @pittgradunion on social media and get connected to an organizer in your field by clicking here.

See this and previous updates and newsletters here. Don’t forget to fill out your membership card if you haven’t already, or to fill out this form if your working conditions change. The administration will NOT have access to your membership card information (including whether or not you signed one) until our first contract is ready for ratification.

In solidarity, 

Your bargaining committee 

Lauren Wewer, Chair (MEMS)  
Michaela Cushing-Daniels, Recording Secretary (SPIA)  
Keanna Cash (SOE)     
Alisa Omelchenko (SOM)  
Chi-Tsung Chang (English)  
Hollen Tillman (SSW)
Emily Ruttenberg (Math)
Matt Nader (USW)
Nate Kilbert (USW)
Don Shaffer (USW)