BARGAINING
UPDATES

December 11, 2025

Key Takeaways

• Discussions over interim raises for bargaining unit staff continued

• The administration presented a counterproposal on Job Changes, but refuses to accept binding language protecting staff from discrimination and harassment.

• We presented proposals on Flexible Work Agreements, Hours of Work, and Health and Safety.

On December 11, 2025 we met with the administration, and raises for represented staff were the most important agenda item for the day. On November 25, the administration sent your bargaining team a proposal for 2.5% raises that would take effect on November 1. This proposal did not include increases to healthcare costs, which already represented a substantial win for bargaining unit staff when compared to their original June proposal. Some significant questions remained, however, including who would be eligible for the raises and the appropriate retroactive date – we would like the raises to be backdated further so that employees can receive a lump sum for the retroactive increase. We sent the administration a proposal via email on Saturday, December 6, and we exchanged multiple proposals with the administration again during bargaining on December 11. We believe that real progress is being made, and we hope to have further news very soon.

Furthermore, we made more progress on Health and Safety and are close to being able to reach an agreement on that proposal. Discussions continued over Flexible Work Agreements. We want to make sure that if your job can be done from an alternative work location, you have that option, and that the University can't change these agreements without your consent or a valid reason. The University countered our Career Advancement proposal but changed the title to Job Changes. As the difference in the title suggests, we still have some work to do to reach an agreement here, and we'll have more to say about this proposal in future updates. We also presented a revised proposal on Hours of Work, and we hope to engage in substantive discussions on this important topic in our coming sessions.

Frustratingly, the administration also conveyed that their non-discrimination proposal only proposes to follow law and University policy. However, we feel that these may change in the future, and we believe that all staff deserve actual, binding protections in our contract to stop any discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, disability, and pregnancy – not protections subject to the whims of those in power in government. We will continue to fight for these protections.

Thanks to everyone who attended one of the four union information sessions that were held this week. We appreciated the opportunity to answer your questions, and we look forward to building our union together! Don't forget to sign your membership card here: https://www.pittstaffunion.org/become-a-member

In solidarity,

Your bargaining committee
Jen Goeckeler-Fried, Chair, Biological Sciences, DSAS
Kearsten Adams, Recording Secretary, Academic Advising, UPG
Shawn Alfonso Wells, Pitt Global Experiences, UCIS
Lydia Chmill, Disability Resources & Services, OTC
Emily Daller, University Child Development Center, OHR
Jay Hornack, Law
Adriana Maguina-Ugarte, Anthropology
Todd Shaffer, Office of Student Life, UPJ
Michelle Utz-Kiley, Epidemiology, SPH
Dan Wyszomierski, UPCI/NSABP
Matt Nader, USW
Nate Kilbert, USW
Don Shaffer, USW
Bernie Hall, District 10 Director, USW