Dear Pitt Faculty Members,
As anticipated, on Friday, July 16, 2021, the University received official word that the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) will conduct an election by mail to determine if Pitt’s faculty will be represented by the United Steelworkers.
The University has always been clear that the question of faculty unionization is a decision for faculty members to make. We will continue to keep community members updated about the election procedures established by the PLRB to help to ensure all faculty members have the information they need to vote.
This is a consequential choice, and while the University has no position on what the outcome should be, we encourage voters to consider the matter seriously and to participate. The PLRB will mail ballots to all eligible voters on Friday, August 27, and ballots must be returned by 5 p.m. on Tuesday October 12, 2021. Ballots received by the PLRB after that point will not be counted, regardless of when they are postmarked.
The order, which outlines the process and additional election information and includes a list of all eligible voters, is posted at Faculty Unionization | University of Pittsburgh.
The FAQ below may also be helpful in addressing questions you may have, and you may submit additional questions online or reach out to me at faculty@pitt.edu.
Best,
Lu-in Wang
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Who can vote?
The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) has determined that the vote is open to full-time and regular part-time tenure-stream and non-tenure-stream faculty and librarians in the Provost Area, Health Sciences Schools, and School of Law, employed by the University of Pittsburgh at all campuses in the Commonwealth.
A list of the eligible voters is attached to the election order in alphabetical order.
Who can’t vote?
Faculty in the School of Medicine, people without faculty titles, and people who are considered supervisors or managers.
When will the election happen?
The PLRB will mail the ballots to your home address on August 27, 2021.
If you do not receive a ballot by September 13, 2021, but you believe you are eligible to vote, you should contact the PLRB to request a new ballot by emailing katowens@pa.gov.
To be counted, your ballot must reach the PLRB at 651 Boas Street, Harrisburg, PA 17121, before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
How does the election work?
The ballot will contain an instruction sheet directing you how to complete your ballot.
Do not sign your ballot or make any unnecessary markings on your ballot.
Place the ballot in the return envelope, sign the outside of the return envelope where indicated, and mail it back to the PLRB. No postage is necessary.
Do not mail your ballot in the same envelope as another voter.
What happens if I think that I am eligible to vote and I am not on the voter list?
You can request a ballot by contacting the PLRB via email at katowens@pa.gov on or after September 13, 2021.
When will we know the results of the election?
The ballots will be opened starting on October 19 at the offices of the PLRB in Harrisburg.