BARGAINING
UPDATES

May 5, 2026

Key Takeaways

• The parties exchanged proposals about Seniority and Layoffs.

• We presented a revised proposal for International Staff.

We met with the administration on May 5, 2026. We continued discussions about both Seniority and Layoffs, with both sides presenting counterproposals. We have already tentatively agreed that upon ratification of the contract, termination of bargaining unit staff members will require just cause. During this “pre-contract” time just cause does not yet apply, so as part of our Seniority proposal, we are asking that if someone is terminated before ratification of the contract, then subsequently re-hired by the university within one year of the termination date, they will retain their seniority. The parties have been discussing procedures and requirements for recalls from layoffs, and we presented a proposal to resolve this issue.

We presented a counterproposal on International Staff. The administration provided answers to our questions about the support currently being provided to staff members during Visa applications or renewals, and when they are applying for legal permanent residency. We want to ensure that the administration provides appropriate support for staff through these processes.

In addition, we had a lengthy sidebar conversation with a state mediator and administration representatives in which we reviewed several proposals that have been on the table for a long time with no resolution. It remains to be seen whether this conversation will help us get to an agreement faster.  We also reiterated our concerns about the length of time it takes the administration to provide us with meaningful counterproposals and fulfill our requests for information. We were told that we should have a response to several of our requests by the end of the week.

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
Mark Brown, DLAR
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