MEET OUR BARGAINING
COMMITTEE

Academic Advising, Greensburg
14 Years of Service

As a member of the Volunteer Organizing Committee for over two years, I've worked hard to make the Pitt Staff Union a reality, and I want to continue the work through the bargaining committee. My 14 years of experience as an academic advisor at Pitt-Greensburg grant me a thorough knowledge of the needs of our regional campuses. I consistently ask the tough questions of our HR department and the administration regarding our wages, frequency of pay, healthcare benefits, and teaching opportunities for staff while maintaining my professionalism . The regional campuses of Pitt need representation at the bargaining table, and I promise to be a strong voice for all of us!

Pitt Global Experiences Office, Main Campus
31 Years of Service

I started working at Pitt as a Graduate student. I was first employed by the Athletic department as a tutor and then worked as an Advisor in the Advising Center. After 2 years I was able to get a Teaching Assistantship which I held in Africana Studies. When I graduated from Pitt I continued to work as an Adjunct Professor at both Pitt and CMU. In 2018 I was hired as an Academic Advisor in the Advising Center and after 2 years then I moved into my current position as the Exchange Program Manager in Pitt GEO. I am also the Vice President of Council in my Municipality and as such I have been exposed to the contract bargaining of our Municipal employees including Police, Fire and DPW. I have had to vote on and agree to the bargaining results from a Municipal perspective and I understand some of the push and pull factors on both side of the table. I feel that Unions are very important ways to guarantee rights and good pay and that we are stronger bargaining together than we are individually. I would love the opportunity to represent our voices at the bargaining table.

Medicine, Cell Biology, Main Campus
15 Years of Service

I have been working in science research at the University for 15 years, in that time, I have seen fellow staff struggle. I have witnessed staff leave due to our inadequate salaries, toxic supervisors who never receive discipline, and unfair bullying that leads to ever increasing job responsibilities. The amount of pressure to work more hours, without receiving overtime, is exploited at the University for profit. Meanwhile, fellow staff members can no longer afford their basic needs due to inflation and low wages. We have important jobs, we should be compensated as such without needing a second job to survive.

Disability Resources and Services, Main Campus
11 Years of Service

My goal is to be an advocate for and ally to everyone in our union, especially those in marginalized communities. Pittsburgh-born and raised in a single-parent, low-income household, I represent a necessary voice. As an alum and a staff member, my professional journey at Pitt began in the Office of the University Registrar. Since November 2014, I’ve served as the Office Administrator in Disability Resources and Services. I’m excited for the opportunity to serve more broadly by starting essential conversations around accessibility, equity, and mutual respect to make a meaningful impact at Pitt as a member of our bargaining committee.

Human Resources (Child Development Center), Main Campus
17 Years of Service

I grew up in a family full of Armco steelworkers and teachers, attending the PFT picnic every year. After 17 years as a staff member at Pitt's University Child Development Center, and an active member of the VOC, I am BEYOND READY to ensure that our concerns, needs, and desires are taken seriously. This university is an integral part of this city AND state, and we, the staff, are an integral part of the university. We deserve to be treated and compensated in a way that reflects that. I am committed to listening to, and representing all Pitt staff.

Biological Sciences, Main Campus
30 Years of Service

As a scientist and lab manager, I’ve spent my career finding solutions to complicated problems while ensuring that every member of my team has the support they need to succeed. In four years as a union organizer, you’ve shared your issues and experiences with me, and I’ll keep listening to you. My goals are to protect the things we love about working at Pitt and find solutions that will improve the things we don’t, so that we all can thrive. Please trust me with your vote, and allow me to fight, advocate, and work for you as your bargaining representative.

Law, Main Campus
20 Years of Service

I would like to help the union in its early stages. I was an attorney for over 40 years practicing plaintiff-side employment law and union-side labor law. I worked closely with the USWA in connection with efforts to stop Pittsburgh-area plant closings in the 1980s and 1990s.

Student Affairs, Johnstown
20 years of service

I have worked at UPJ for 20 years in many roles from area coordinator, to facilities, public safety and currently Director of Student Conduct. In all of these roles I have built relationships with all offices on campus to ensure work gets completed. I am seen as a problem solver for our campus and was recognized for that with the President’s Award for Excellence to Campus.

While I believe I can represent the interest of all staff members I am running specifically to make sure the voices of the branch campuses are heard and that our pay and benefits are treated as equals. We have come to realize that pay and benefits are less than those of the main campus. As an example, the UPJ campus has no FWA.

Anthropology, Main Campus
17 Years of Service

I have worked at Pitt since 2007, first in the Ctr for Latin American Studies, then in anthropology. But I was also an international graduate student between 1995 and fall 2000. I earned two degrees here at Pitt: MA in anthropology, and MS in Information Science. I also worked for Semester at Sea, a Pitt-affiliated program between 2001-2006. Through my studies and work career I have always been interested in international studies, and helping others go through their global learning as well.

I do not have previous union experience, but I have been a member of Staff Council since 2007 as well, and have been an active member of the Staff Relations subcommittee. This committee has been working with the administration through shared governance to secure more and better benefits for staff. This committee worked, proposed and/or negotiated: the domestic partner health benefits, as well as the paid parental leave, paid volunteer time off, and Juneteenth Holiday. I have also represented Staff Council in the Senate Budget Policies Committee, working alongside faculty to protect staff benefits and work conditions.

Epidemiology, Main Campus
20 Years of Service

As part of the soft-money contingent at the University who are not afforded a lot of the protections, nor given the necessary equipment to perform our jobs correctly or efficiently. We and are also among the lowest paid at the University. I would like to see the staff be treated equitably and consistently across the system. It is time for the staff to receive the piece of the pie that the executives have been receiving while crying poor the entire time.

UPCI/NSABP, Main Campus
16 years of service

I am excited to be part of the Staff Union. I grew up as part of a union family, and was taught the importance of unions in helping to ensure equitable compensation, benefits, and working conditions for all of their members. I would be proud to help negotiate these items for every member of the Staff Union at Pitt. I am especially eager to help guarantee that compensation for union members is aligned with industry standards for their jobs, and that health care, retirement, and family education benefits are retained and enhanced.