BARGAINING
UPDATES

July 15, 2026

On Wednesday, we exchanged International Employee and Pay Schedule proposals with the administration’s bargaining committee. While there were progressive movements on both sides regarding the international student proposal, we stand firm on our right to stay informed about any detainment of our members and immigration enforcement activity on campus. 

However, we were thoroughly disappointed that the administration was not prepared to discuss the MOU on stipend increases for the upcoming academic year. Last week, we saw Chancellor Joan Gabel’s email stating that the Board of Trustees passed the annual budget. Gabel had no problem finding money for herself, on top of a 30% pay raise in January, she also received a $100K annual retention payment. There’s clearly money in the budget, and grad workers deserve to see their fair share.

The administration also stated they do not intend to move on their Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Bullying proposal, which we have been waiting for since January. It seems the administration does not want to be held accountable for the discrimination and harassment we know our coworkers are experiencing. We are disheartened that the administration has neglected our colleagues’ powerful testimonials in previous sessions. The administration refuses to commit to protecting employees based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, national origin, or any other protected category. The faculty contract explicitly pledges to prevent discrimination based on these categories, but the administration does not believe that graduate employees deserve the same respect and protection. Even worse, the Employer has told the Bargaining Committee that it needs to have the flexibility to change the University’s policies to eliminate discrimination protections for any group of people. This is an unacceptable attack on the safety and dignity of all grad employees.

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)  
Alisa Omelchenko, Recording Secretary (SOM)  
Keanna Cash (SOE)      
Chi-Tsung Chang (English)  
Hollen Tillman (SSW) 
Emily Ruttenberg (Math)
Emily Wheelis (Neuroscience)
Matt Nader (USW)
Nate Kilbert (USW)
Don Shaffer (USW)