Updates

Update February 23, 2024

The University and the faculty Union met on January 10 and 23 and February 7, 12 and 20, to continue negotiations for the first faculty contract. Through these sessions, the parties have reached and executed Tentative Agreements on Falk School, Sabbaticals and Professional Development Leave as well as Visiting Faculty. During these sessions, the parties also exchanged proposals on No Strike/No Lockout, Compensation, Benefits, Layoffs and Recall, Leaves, and Shared Governance. The proposals presented by the University can be accessed here.

 

Update December 12, 2023

The University's bargaining committee met with the faculty union on November 17th, 28th and December 7th to continue negotiations for the first faculty contract.

The University and the Union are scheduled to meet next on December 14th.

The counter proposals presented by the University can be accessed here.

 

Update October 30, 2023

The University's bargaining committee met with the faculty union virtually on October 20th to continue negotiations for the first faculty contract. The Union presented counter-proposals on Recognition and Grievance and Arbitration, which it had sent in advance of the session. Additionally, the Union's bargaining team presented a counter on Academic Freedom and Ethical Conduct, along with proposed changes to the accompanying side letter.

The University's bargaining committee presented counter proposals on Appointment, Renewal, and Promotion of Full Time Appointment Stream Faculty, Appointment, Renewal, and Promotion of Tenure Stream Faculty, Appointment, Appointment and Promotion of Tenured Faculty, Grievance and Arbitration, and Management Rights, as well as a counter on Recognition. The Union responded with additional counter proposals on Recognition and Grievance and Arbitration, and Management Rights.

The University and the Union are scheduled to meet next on October 31st.

The counter proposals presented by the University at the October 20th session can be accessed here.

 

Update: October 20, 2023

The University's bargaining committee met with the faculty union in-person on October 10th to continue negotiations for the first faculty contract. Prior to the session, the Union sent a counter proposal on Appointment, Renewal, and Promotion of Full-Time Appointment Stream Faculty, which the Union's bargaining committee presented at the start of the October 10th session, followed by a counter proposal on Management Rights. The University's bargaining committee presented a counter proposal on Appointment, Promotion and Renewal of Full Time Appointment Stream Faculty, as well as counters on Recognition and Academic Freedom, the latter of which was presented along with a proposed explanatory side-letter regarding the language of the article.

In the afternoon, the University's and Union's bargaining committees exchanged additional counters on Appointment, Promotion and Renewal of Full Time Appointment Stream Faculty. The University also presented counters on Appointment, Promotion and Renewal of Tenure Stream Faculty, Appointment and Promotion of Tenured Faculty, and Grievance and Arbitration.

The University’s and Union’s bargaining committees will meet next for virtual bargaining sessions on October 20th and 31st.

Proposals and counterproposals from this and earlier sessions can be accessed here.

 

Update: July 10, 2023

In June, the University's bargaining committee met with the faculty union in-person on June 14th and 20th, and virtually on June 22nd. The parties engaged in robust discussion and continued to make progress towards agreement on issues relating to appointment, renewal and promotion of full-time appointment stream faculty, appointment of part-time appointment stream faculty, visiting faculty, workload, evaluation as well as tenured and tenure stream faculty. 

In the morning session on June 14th, the University's bargaining committee presented counter proposals on the Appointment, Promotion and Renewal of Full-Time Appointment Stream Faculty, Appointment of Part-Time Appointment Stream Faculty, and Visiting Faculty. In the afternoon, the union responded with counter proposals on Appointment, Renewal and Promotion of Part-Time Appointment Stream Faculty, Visiting Faculty, Workload, and Appointment, Renewal and Promotion of Full-Time Appointment Stream Faculty. 

On June 20th, the University again presented counter proposals on Appointment, Promotion and Renewal of Full-Time Appointment Stream Faculty and Appointment of Part-Time Appointment Stream Faculty in the morning session, and the union responded with counter proposals on the same in the afternoon. Additionally, in the afternoon session the University presented counter proposals on Visiting Faculty, Faculty Evaluations, and Workload. 

The union opened the June 22nd session with a counter proposal on Performance Evaluations, and during the morning session the University’s bargaining team presented counter proposals on Appointment, Promotion and Renewal of Tenure Stream Faculty and Appointment and Promotion of Tenured Faculty. The University also presented counter proposals on Faculty Evaluations and Appointment of Part-Time Appointment Stream Faculty in the afternoon, and the union presented counter proposals on Workload and Appointment, Promotion, Renewal and Tenure of Tenure Stream Faculty.  

The parties will meet this month on July 11th and July 25th. 

The counter proposals presented by the University at the June sessions can be accessed here.

 

Update: May 31, 2023

This month, the University’s bargaining committee met with the faculty union on May 9th, 16th and 23rd to continue negotiating an initial collective bargaining agreement. All of the May sessions were held virtually. During the May sessions the bargaining committees engaged in discussions at the table as well as sidebar discussions.

The University’s bargaining committee opened the May 9th session by presenting counter proposals on Academic Workload, Appointment, Promotion and Renewal of Tenured Stream Faculty, Appointment and Promotion of Tenured Faculty, Layoff and No Strike No Lockout. 

During the afternoon, the union responded by presenting the University with a suite of proposals, which included counter proposals on Notice of Appointment, Appointment, Renewal and Promotion of Full-time Appointment Stream Faculty, Appointment Renewal and Promotion of Part-time Appointment Stream Faculty, Visiting Faculty, Appointment Promotion and Tenure of Tenure Stream Faculty and Layoff and Recall.  The union also presented the University with a counter proposal on Academic Workload.

The May 16th bargaining session began with the University’s bargaining committee presenting counter proposals on Faculty Evaluations, Management Rights and Non-discrimination, Anti-harassment and Anti-bullying. In the afternoon, the union responded by presenting counter proposals on Performance Evaluations and Non-discrimination, Anti-harassment and Anti-bullying. The parties made progress towards reaching an agreement on the Non-discrimination, Anti-harassment and Anti-bullying article. In addition to discussing the counter proposals presented during the session, the parties also engaged in discussion on proposals previously presented, including tenure and tenure stream faculty, management rights and visiting faculty. 

On May 23rd, the final bargaining session of the month, the University’s bargaining committee presented counter proposals on Non-discrimination, Anti-harassment and Anti-bullying, Notice of Appointment, Appointment of Part-time Appointment Stream Faculty and Visiting Faculty. After review and discussion of the University’s proposals, the union presented a counter proposals on Non-discrimination, Anti-harassment and Anti-bullying and Visiting Faculty. At the close of the session, the union accepted the University’s counter proposal on Notice of Appointment and as such, the parties may have a tentative agreement on this proposal. The parties also reached a tentative agreement on Non-discrimination, Anti-harassment and Anti-bullying.

Following this session, the University’s bargaining committee provided the union with another counter proposal on Academic Workload. 

The parties will meet again on June 14th, 20th and 23rd.   

The counter proposals presented by the University at the May sessions can be accessed here.

 

Update: April 14, 2023

The University’s bargaining committee met with the faculty union on April 17th and April 18th to continue negotiating an initial collective bargaining agreement. On April 17th, the University’s bargaining committee presented counter proposals on Personnel Files, Appointment, Promotion and Renewal of FT Appointment Stream Faculty, Academic Freedom and Ethical Conduct and Shared Governance. While the union did not present counter proposals on those provisions, it did present a counter proposal on Discipline and Discharge during the April 17th session. 

On April 18th, the parties began the session with the union presenting a counter proposal on Academic Freedom and Ethical Conduct and Intellectual Property. In the afternoon, the union’s bargaining committee also presented counter proposals on Shared Governance and Discipline and Discharge. After discussion of the union’s counter proposal on Discipline and Discharge, the parties reached a tentative agreement on this proposal. The parties also reached a tentative agreement on the University’s proposal on Personnel Files. 

The parties will meet again on May 9th, 16th and 23rd.   

The counter proposals presented by the University at the April 17th and 18th sessions can be accessed here.

 

Update: March 27, 2023

The University’s bargaining committee met with the faculty union on March 9th, 13th, and 14th to continue bargaining for an initial contract. Over these bargaining sessions the parties exchanged counter proposals, engaged in sidebars and had lengthy discussions on each side’s proposals related to Discipline and Discharge, Grievance and Arbitration, Workload, Falk School, and Recognition. The University and the faculty union presented several counter proposals over the three days. The University’s proposals on these subjects can be found at Proposals and Counter Proposals. The parties attempted to bridge the gap and move closer to reaching tentative agreements on Discipline and Discharge and Falk School. The University’s bargaining committee anticipates continued discussion on these issues at the next bargaining session. The parties have scheduled three sessions in April and will meet on April 4th, 17th and 18th.

 

Update: February 21, 2023

Prior to winter break, the University’s bargaining committee and faculty union’s bargaining committee met on December 14, 2022, to continue negotiating the initial collective bargaining agreement between the parties. The discussion at that session was robust and productive, as the parties discussed a number of proposals (available at Proposals and Counter Proposals). The parties ended the year with positive momentum, particularly given the University’s proposals on part-time and full-time appointment stream faculty, which incorporate presumptively renewable contracts. These University proposals attempt to address concerns that it heard the union raise related to job security.

Since returning from winter break, the University has met with the faculty union for three bargaining sessions, on January 12th, January 24th , and February 7th.  At those sessions, the parties continued to discuss proposals on health and safety, union communications and access, dues, academic freedom, performance evaluations, appointment and renewal, layoff and recall, Library faculty, Falk School faculty, shared governance, no strike, and grievance and arbitration. From the University’s perspective, its discussions with the faculty union at these recent sessions provided for a deeper understanding of the basis for each side’s positions. At the February 7th session, the parties came to a tentative agreement on a dues deduction provision. We are encouraged by the most recent sessions, and look forward to continued productive discussions with the faculty union. Our next bargaining session is scheduled for February 22, 2023.


Update: December 6, 2022

University administration recently became aware that bargaining-unit faculty members intend to stage a demonstration at the Office of the Provost on Wednesday December 7, 2022. This is due to the union’s perception that the University has not responded to certain proposals made by the union during collective bargaining sessions. The University has responded to many proposals and issues raised by the union and will continue to do so. 

As this is an initial contract between the University and the union, numerous issues have been raised and discussed at the bargaining table. There are some proposals that have been submitted by the union that the University has not immediately responded to due to the need to gather additional information and present the union an informed response. Collective bargaining is a back and forth process and that requires give and take on both sides. The University will continue to engage in good faith bargaining by responding to all proposals and issues raised by the union and we hope the union does so as well.  The parties' next bargaining session is December 14, 2022 and the University looks forward to working collaboratively with the union to continue to address outstanding issues.


Nisi Order of Certification: October 28, 2021

View the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board's Nisi Order of Certification for the faculty unit. 


Faculty Unionization Election Vote Results: October 19, 2021

We have always maintained that this is a faculty matter and a faculty decision and are evaluating next steps. While the formation of a faculty union may change how our community works together, it will not change our longstanding commitment to partnering with faculty members to advance their pursuits of excellence in teaching, scholarship and research.


FINAL REMINDER: Ballots Due October 12: October 6, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

On August 27, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) mailed ballots to eligible voters to participate in the election to determine if Pitt’s faculty will be represented by the United Steelworkers. (The list of eligible voters who should have received ballots is attached to the election order.)

Ballots are due back to the PLRB on or before Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Ballots received by the PLRB after that date will not be counted, regardless of when they are postmarked.

If you have concerns about mail delivery times, and in consideration of the Oct. 11 Columbus Day federal holiday, we encourage you to mail your ballot right away.

Questions on topics such as eligibility to vote, how eligibility was determined, and the election are addressed at Your Questions Answered and The Election Process.

Read the message in the email format »


Update: Return Your Ballot: October 12 Deadline: September 30, 2021

A Message from Vice Provost Lu-in Wang 

Dear Colleagues,

On August 27, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) mailed ballots to eligible voters to participate in the election to determine if Pitt’s faculty will be represented by the United Steelworkers.

If you believe you are eligible to vote but have not received a ballot by mail, please contact the PLRB by emailing katowens@pa.gov to request a ballot. (The list of eligible voters who should be receiving ballots is attached to the election order.)

Ballots are due back to the PLRB on or before Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Ballots received by the PLRB after that date will not be counted, regardless of when they are postmarked.

Questions on topics such as eligibility to vote, how eligibility was determined, and the election are addressed at Your Questions Answered and The Election Process.

Read the message in the email format »


Update: Important Reminder! Vote and Return Your Ballot!: September 24, 2021

A Message from Vice Provost Lu-in Wang 

Dear Colleagues,

On August 27, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) mailed ballots to eligible voters to participate in the election to determine if Pitt’s faculty will be represented by the United Steelworkers.

If you believe you are eligible to vote but have not received a ballot by mail, please contact the PLRB by emailing katowens@pa.gov to request a ballot. (The list of eligible voters who should be receiving ballots is attached to the election order.)

Ballots are due back to the PLRB on or before Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Ballots received by the PLRB after that date will not be counted, regardless of when they are postmarked.

Questions on topics such as eligibility to vote, how eligibility was determined, and the election are addressed at Your Questions Answered and The Election Process.

Read the message in the email format »


Update: Faculty Election Ballots Mailing Soon: August 25, 2021

A Message from Vice Provost Lu-in Wang 

Dear Pitt Faculty Members,

On August 27, 2021, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) will mail ballots to eligible voters to participate in the election to determine if Pitt’s faculty will be represented by the United Steelworkers. The list of eligible voters who should be receiving ballots is attached to the election order.

If you are on the eligible voters list, please look for your ballot to arrive soon. Once you receive it, please follow the instructions provided to complete your ballot, and mail the ballot back to the PLRB in time for it to arrive on or before Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Please note that ballots received by the PLRB after that date will not be counted, regardless of when they are postmarked. No postage is necessary when using the return envelope.

Read the full message »


Faculty Election Information: July 22, 2021

A Message from Vice Provost Lu-in Wang 

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.

Read the full message »


Faculty Election Order: July 16, 2021

As anticipated, this afternoon the University of Pittsburgh received notification of the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board’s order for a faculty union election. The election will be held by mail. The PLRB will mail ballots to all eligible voters on Friday, August 27, and ballots must be returned by Tuesday, October 12, 2021. 

The University has always been clear that the question of faculty unionization is a faculty decision, and we will continue to keep all community members updated about the process.