WHO WE ARE AND WHY WE ARE ORGANIZING?

who we are and why we are organizing?

We are GSRs, GSAs, TFs, and TAs in every department and school at the University of Pittsburgh, organizing for funding security, stipend increases, protections against discrimination and harassment, improved family benefits, a voice in our hours and conditions of work, and affordable health insurance. Here are some of the reasons we support forming our union:

I support our union because I believe that graduate student workers deserve equitable pay and health care.

Jessica Macaluso, Cognitive Psychology

I support the formation of our union of graduate student workers. The right to organize and advocate for our needs promotes a partnership between ourselves and the university. A significant portion of the labor keeping Pitt in the elite of research institutions comes from the hard work and dedication of graduate student researchers. Paying us what we are worth and providing us with the appropriate benefits will solidify the University’s commitment. We can provide a direct line to the heart of pertinent issues and ensure fairness for all.

Sommer Anjum, Bioengineering

As an international student, I can only work at Pitt. My right to stay in the US and my life here are entirely impacted by Pitt’s decisions. At first I was not so comfortable openly supporting our union because I was worried about risks on my immigration status or employment. But unionization is our right. Once we have a union, whenever I have concerns about my employment, I can seek help and support from our union.

Kanoko Kamata, Sociology

I believe that everyone working at the University of Pittsburgh is entitled to a living wage, competitive health benefits, and workplace protections; for these reasons, I support our union.

Matthew (Matt) Borrelli, Chemical Engineering

I support our union because grad workers deserve adequate healthcare, fair wages, and respect from the university that we do so much to uphold.

Helena Richie, Physics & Astronomy

I support our union because every graduate worker deserves dignity and respect in our workplace.

Duncan Riley, History

I support our union because I believe graduate workers know best the unique needs of our working conditions as educators, researchers, students, and, often, a combination of these roles at any given time. I believe in enhancing the role of graduate workers in decision-making through our union.

Lacey Rzodkiewicz, Biological Sciences

I support our union because the work we do as researchers and educators makes Pitt run, and we deserve recognition (and better wages and healthcare) for our labor.

Alison Mahoney, Theatre & Performance Studies

I support our union because our work is the backbone of the university's teaching and research, and we deserve a say in the decisions that affect us.

Travis Court, Physics & Astronomy

As a single mom on a graduate student stipend, I support our union because I depend on consistent and complete medical coverage in order to attend graduate school and pursue my studies.

Ilana Spencer, Sociology

I support our graduate worker union because improving and protecting international students' welfare with a union contract is better than university policies that could change at any time.

Chi-Tsung Chang, English / Film & Media Studies

I support our union because I believe graduate workers form the foundation of the university, and we deserve a proportionate say in all decisions that affect our well-being and ability to thrive, which in turn affects our students’ and communities’ abilities to flourish.

Stephen Perry, Philosophy

I support our union because grad students deserve a contract that reflects our indispensable labor.

Tori Bonidie, Physics & Astronomy

I support our union because graduate student workers, regardless of which school or positions we are in, deserve equal protections and representation in conversations about our working conditions.

Payne Banister, Theatre & Performance Studies

I support forming a union for Pitt’s graduate workers because our labor is the backbone of the university and, like all laborers, we deserve a seat at the table when our employer makes decisions about our welfare. Unionizing will give us the power to make sure we get the compensation and benefits we deserve!

Michaela Cushing-Daniels, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

I support our union because graduate workers are the future of higher education, and we deserve a meaningful voice in the decisions that determine the quality of our teaching and research.

Connor Chapman, Sociology

I support our union because I come from multiple generations of unionized educators. I’ve seen firsthand how unions deliver better working conditions and protect both teachers and students from administrative mismanagement.

Jacob Richey, Slavic Languages and Literatures

Our work makes this university, but we don’t have representation. We will fight together as a union to empower ALL graduate worker voices.

Tania Lucia Ramirez, Sociology

I support the graduate student union because we are the backbone of activities in our institution, and we deserve to advocate for and protect our rights.

Amber Stanley, Biological Sciences

I support our union because a contract is the only thing that will guarantee us fair wages and adequate health insurance.

Megan Valley, English Writing

I support our union because we are stronger together.

Tracey Freeman, Microbiology & Immunology

I support our union because, for an international student, it gives me a sense of community and protection. Navigating another country is challenging, which is why we will work together as a union to defend our rights.

Elizaveta Volkovskaia, Slavic Languages and Literatures

I support our union because I believe graduate workers deserve a voice in decisions that impact our livelihoods.

Maura McGrath, Anthropology

As an international graduate worker, I endorse our union because we, as the future of academia, deserve active participation and voice in decisions that impact us.

Seda Baykal, Sociology

I support our union because grad workers deserve a say in decisions made about us, and this is the only way to guarantee that our voices are heard. The university works because we do.

Noël Marsh, Anthropology / Behavioral and Community Health Sciences

I support our union because we deserve the security of knowing that our health insurance, wages, and workplace protections will still be there for us next year.

Aniruddh (Anu) Ajith, Clinical & Translational Science

I support Pitt Grad Worker Union because I believe we are always stronger when we are together. We are valuable researchers and educators who foster diversity and vitality within the Pitt community. It's time for our voices to ring loud, our values to shine bright, and our rights to be unwaveringly defended.

Greta Jianjia Cheng, Epidemiology

I support our union because looking out for my fellow workers is the right thing to do. Solidarity forever.

Jason Kuo, English