WHAT IS A UNION?

At its core the union is us, the staff that make Pitt work.

A union is an organized group of workers who unite to make decisions about conditions affecting their work. Labor unions strive to bring economic and social justice, along with a democratic voice, to our workplaces. In legal terms unions are often called the exclusive bargaining agent. The union acts as the collective voice of the employees when negotiating with the employer regarding the terms and conditions of employment. 

Do other universities have unions?

Yes! In fact, the United Steelworkers (USW) already represent the faculty here at the University of Pittsburgh, as well as some staff and all adjuncts at Point Park University and at the University of Toronto. Other public universities in Pennsylvania are also unionized, including Temple University, PA State System of Higher Education (CalU, IUP, Slippery Rock, etc.), and the University of Pennsylvania.  

Are there other unions on Pitt's campus?

The faculty, custodians, grounds crew, food service, truck drivers, police officers and security guards, building trades (carpenters, electricians, laborers, painters, plumbers, sheet metal, and steamfitters) are all unionized. 

I support the union initiative because staff members at the University of Pittsburgh--and its branch campuses--are dedicated and invaluable members of the campus community who merit the same representation as our faculty and physical plant co-workers.

DAWN BEAM
Business & Enterprise Division

Why the United Steelworkers?

They have experience in higher education and they helped the faculty at Pitt win their union. If we are all in the same international union we can stand together in solidarity.  
The USW is a democratic union. Members run their local unions, and leaders from the local all the way to the international are elected by members. And members get to vote on their contracts. 

Does the USW represent other professional workers?

Absolutely! In addition to the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, the United Library Workers at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system voted to form a union in August 2019; contract workers at Google’s Pittsburgh office voted to form a union in September 2019 and formed the Federation of Tech Workers; and United Museum Workers at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh voted to form a union in December 2020. 

Are we legally allowed to form a union?

Yes. Pitt is in the public sector, which falls under the Public Employee Relations Act (PERA). The Act protects the rights of employees to organize, form, join or assist in employee organizations or to engage in lawful concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid and protection.  

Can we be fired for supporting a union?

No. Pennsylvania’s Public Employee Relations Act protects all public employees from retaliation for union activity. So it is illegal, and imprudent in terms of financial liability and negative publicity, for the administration to retaliate against staff in any way for unionizing. Specifically, Section 1201 of the PERA makes the following types of conduct illegal:

• Interfering [with], restraining or coercing employees in the exercise of their right to organize, form, join or assist in employee organizations [including unions] or to engage in lawful concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid and protection.
• Dominating or interfering with the formation, existence or administration of any employee organization.
• Discriminating in regard to hire or tenure of employment or any term or condition of employment to encourage or discourage membership in any employee organization.
• Discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee because he or she has signed or filed an affidavit, petition or complaint or given any information or testimony under this act.
• Refusing to bargain collectively in good faith with an employee representative which is the exclusive representative of employees in an appropriate unit, including but not limited to the discussing of grievances with the exclusive representative.

Furthermore, whether you sign an authorization card, how you vote in a union election, and whether you’re a union member are confidential. You’re the only one who can disclose those pieces of information. The legal department at the USW will vigorously prosecute any unlawful conduct by the administration.

How much will our dues be? What are they used for? 

Dues in the USW are 1.45% of each member’s gross monthly earnings plus $0.02 per hour. These dues only kick in after we’ve voted to ratify a contract. 
 
Although there are no guarantees of what wage increases a particular contract will include, nationwide, first contracts almost always include substantial wage increases. We would have no reason to vote in favor of a contract in which the raises didn't substantially exceed the dues, which is why substantial increases are the norm. 

​Union dues give us the power to fight for our rights as United Steelworker members and are our collective resource. Dues are an investment that come right back to us through good contracts, quality education, and a wide range of union services.  ​