BARGAINING
UPDATES
June 11, 2025
Key Takeaways:
We proposed three new articles for our first contract covering standards for English language testing, protections for international grad workers, and training opportunities.
Pitt gave us four stripped down counter proposals that keep grad workers at the mercy of our employer.
We submitted a counter proposal for Performance Evaluation right away to keep the bargaining process moving.
Dear fellow grad workers,
During our latest bargaining session, we presented the administration with three new proposals. The first lays out procedures for English language testing to ensure there is transparency and clear standards. The second lays out key protections for international grad workers, including support for grads who experience delays in travel or work authorization and solidifying essential services offered by OIS. The third proposal set out standards for training, ensuring grad workers are able to access internal and external resources for professional development and get paid for completing essential training.
Pitt’s administration also gave our bargaining committee four counter proposals today, in which they continued to resist essential protections for grad workers to keep themselves off the hook in our CBA. They resubmitted their previous counter for grievance and arbitration, insisting on a “get out of jail free card” that would take the teeth out of these procedures.
They removed most of the protections in our Appointments and Performance Evaluation proposals, essentially keeping grad workers at the mercy of our employer when it comes to our job security and in the dark about our job requirements. Finally, their pared down public safety counter made it clear that Pitt isn’t interested in our safety.
While the administration’s resistance is frustrating and slows the bargaining process, we are committed to ensuring the protections we all need are solidified in our first contract. We submitted our own counter on performance evaluation right away to make sure bargaining continues to move forward, and will, as always, keep you updated on our progress. To facilitate this, we have also created a Bargaining Tracker, so our coworkers can see the specific language we are proposing and the protections Pitt is refusing to give us.
Finally, if you experience any changes to your working conditions, if your department suggests that compensation is held up or unavailable due to the bargaining process, or if you have a story you’d like to share with a bargaining committee member, fill out this form to schedule a meeting with us.