BARGAINING
UPDATES

January 29, 2026

Key Takeaways

• We exchanged counterproposals on a number of topics, including Flexible Work Arrangements

• We are recruiting additional members to serve as Weingarten representatives

We met with the administration on January 29, 2026. Most of the open proposals were "in their court" so we were glad to receive counters on several of them. Some, including Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs), had meaningful movement in our direction. We know how important these FWAs are to many of you, and we are continuing to work to secure fair processes for them and protections for existing FWAs. The administration was seeking to restrict new FWAs by requiring OHR pre-approval for alternate work locations outside a 120 mile radius, but we were able to expand this to 200 miles.

Unfortunately, the discussions were not all productive. In our discussions of Layoffs during the last session, the administration proposed that they would assist bargaining unit staff who were laid off by providing a list of available positions for which they are qualified, upon request. This was a helpful concept that we embraced and were willing to agree to, so we were shocked when they removed this from their counter this time! They claimed that this would take too much effort, and instead, said that they will merely direct laid-off staff to their "career website."  We strongly believe that if the University makes the decision to lay off staff, those workers deserve some effort by the University to help them find a new position! Regressive moves like this are not good faith bargaining, and we will not tolerate it.

When we won our union, we immediately gained Weingarten Rights. Over the last year, our small team of trained Weingarten representatives has helped our fellow staff members in disciplinary meetings, as well as other times when a staff member wanted extra support, including during meetings to discuss a layoff or performance improvement plan. It's incredibly important work that makes a difference for our colleagues. We need to expand our team, so if serving as a representative is something that you are able to do, please email staffunionofpitt@usw.org and let us know that you'd like to receive the training.

Did you know that only bargaining unit members who have SIGNED MEMBERSHIP CARDS will get to vote to ratify the contract when it's ready?  Our Communication and Actions Team (CAT) is reaching out to as many bargaining unit members as possible this week to talk about signing your cards and answer any questions that you may have. No dues will be paid until we ratify a contract, so it costs nothing to sign your card now.  And while the administration won't know how many folks have signed cards, your support will give your bargaining committee added strength at the bargaining table as we fight for better wages and conditions for all of us! Sign your card today here.

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 Maguiña-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