BARGAINING
UPDATES

November 9, 2026

On Monday, we finally received 3 of the Pitt administration’s economic counterproposals (Compensation, Benefits, Commuter Benefits) after months of inactivity on their part. They initially proposed full coverage of healthcare premiums for medical, dental, and vision benefits for individuals and their dependents. After both sides verbally agreed to tentatively agree to the entire proposal, locking these benefits into the final contract, the administration outrageously withdrew from the TA and walked back its own proposal, citing a “typo” as their reasoning. This is wildly inappropriate and ultimately counterproductive to the negotiation process. After almost 2 years of bargaining, Amanda Godley and the rest of the graduate deans on the administration’s bargaining team continue to come to sessions unprepared and are going back on their word at the table, showing complete disrespect to us as workers, this contract, and the bargaining process.

The incredible turnout at our rally brought the administration to the table and significantly increased the number of proposals that were discussed. Regrettably, the level of movement we observed today is thoroughly disappointing. The administration proposed a 0% stipend increase for new GSA/GSR graduate workers, and newly hired TAs/TFs would be paid respectively around $2,300/$3,700 less annually than the current TA/TF minimum. From Fall 2027 and onwards, the administration offers a measly 1% annual increase to grad workers with an appointment—a figure fundamentally inadequate to cover the rapidly rising cost of living. We pressed the administration on their removal of kill fees, relocation support, candidacy bonus, etc., but they indicated little interest in relieving the economic pressure graduate workers face.  

In better news, we have reached a tentative agreement on Hours of Work. We also exchanged proposals on Holidays and Artificial Intelligence, aiming to protect the role of humanity in instruction and the quality of education Pitt provides.

You can also get involved in organizing by clicking here or if you want to join future bargaining sessions, sign up here. 

Don’t forget to fill out your membership card if you haven’t already. 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.

See this and previous updates and newsletters here. Also, fill out this form if your working conditions change. 

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)Jackson Wallace (Physics & Astronomy)
Matt Nader (USW)
Nate Kilbert (USW)
Don Shaffer (USW)