BARGAINING
UPDATES

October 30, 2025

Key Takeaways

• We presented a counterproposal on Health and Safety.

• We obtained a commitment to resume discussions about bargaining unit inclusion/exclusion issues.

• We made significant progress in addressing the effects of some recent staff layoffs.

On October 29, 2025 your bargaining team met with the administration again. In response to comments from their team, we put forward a counterproposal on Health and Safety that details our vision for the process we would like to utilize to address unsafe working conditions. We hope that the administration appreciates the effort we put into developing this plan of action.

In our previous bargaining session, the administration indicated that they would have a counter to our Career Advancement proposal this time, but they began the day by telling us that while they were working hard on it, they would not have it ready until next time. Coming to an agreement on the topics of this proposal - promotions, reclassifications, and transfers - has implications for our other proposals on Provisional Periods and  Positions, so we certainly hope that we can continue these important discussions soon.

We know that some staff members have lingering concerns and questions about their inclusion in, or exclusion from, the bargaining unit. We share those concerns and are happy to report that we were able to get a commitment from the administration that they will resume those discussions! We also expressed our desire to resume bargaining over access to the new recreational facility for represented staff on the Pittsburgh campus.

Finally, we are also pleased to report that we have made significant progress in addressing the effects of some recent layoffs and of the administration's recent subcontracting of IT Help Desk employees. We expect to continue addressing layoffs as they occur to aid affected employees.

Happy Halloween from your bargaining committee! It's scary without a union, so don't get tricked (looking at you, compensation modernization)! Union membership brings many TREATS, including better wages and benefits. We're in this fight for better working conditions together. Sign your union card today! 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
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