Feb. 6, 2025 Contract Negotiations Update
(posted Feb. 10, 2025)
The University's bargaining committee met with the staff union bargaining committee on Feb. 6 to continue negotiating an initial collective bargaining agreement. The University and the union started the session with a tentative agreement on Labor-Management Meetings. The University presented two proposals, Health and Safety, and No Strike, No Lockout. The University also presented a counterproposal on Union Rights.
During the afternoon session, the parties reached a tentative agreement on the No Strike, No Lockout proposal. The union then presented a counterproposal on Union Rights over which the parties engaged in some productive discussion. Afterward, the union presented a proposal for Appointments.
The parties will meet next at the end of the month on Feb. 26.
Staff Bargaining Units List Updated
(posted Feb. 3, 2025)
To help identify employees in the bargaining units, we are posting this updated list of Staff Bargaining Unit Members as of Nov. 14, 2024, sorted alphabetically by last name. Note: although dated November, this is the most current version available.
Please note: The inclusion/exclusion of specific staff members or specific job titles in the Staff Bargaining Units is the topic of ongoing discussions and bargaining, and as such, this list is subject to change.
Jan. 21, 2025 Contract Negotiations Update
(posted Jan. 24, 2025)
During this session, the University’s bargaining committee and the staff union reached tentative agreements on Discipline and Discharge, Dues Deduction, Personnel Files, Separability, Recognition and Preamble. The University presented counterproposals on Grievance and Arbitration. The union presented proposals on Shared Governance, Labor-Management Meetings, Layoff, Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, Anti-Bullying, and Union Rights and a counterproposal on Grievance and Arbitration.
After significant discussion, the parties also reached a tentative agreement on the Compensation Memorandum of Understanding. (see below)
The parties will meet next month on Feb. 6 and 26.
Jan. 21, 2025 - University reaches agreement with USW to allow certain compensation-related processes to move forward during contract negotiations for staff bargaining units
(posted Jan. 23, 2025)
During the most recent bargaining session on Jan. 21, 2025, the University of Pittsburgh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with the United Steelworkers on behalf of represented University staff in two bargaining units to allow certain compensation-related processes to progress while their first contract is being negotiated.
In December 2024, the parties started discussions over an MOU that would allow certain compensation-related processes to proceed forward. Without an agreement, such matters must remain unchanged during the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement due to the requirement to maintain the status quo on matters involving mandatory subjects of bargaining.
With the MOU in place, the University is able to move forward with the following regular processes:
- Supplemental payments for staff teaching assignments;
- Pay increases upon the completion of provisional periods and upon the return from leaves of absence;
- Supplemental payments for additional job duties and reaching performance targets;
- Pay increases upon promotion;
- Off-cycle pay increases; and
- Staff initiated Full Time Equivalency (FTE) changes.
In the coming days, supervisors will receive instructions on how pending and future compensation-related transactions should be processed.
Staff seeking updates from the University throughout the bargaining process should refer to staffunionization.pitt.edu.
Jan. 10, 2025 Contract Negotiations Update
(posted Jan. 22, 2025)
As we enter into formal bargaining with the United Steelworkers for the staff union contracts, we will begin posting the latest updates from negotiation sessions on this website.
Prior to the first bargaining session, the University and the union exchanged proposals on the Compensation Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU), which is an agreement necessary for the University to process specific compensation actions, including but not limited to, supplemental pay, promotion and discretionary increases, as all matters related to compensation are a mandatory subject of bargaining for the parties and subject to static status quo.
At the first session on January 10th, the University and the staff union focused on collective bargaining agreement (CBA) proposals and the Compensation MOU.
The union presented the University with proposals on the Preamble, Recognition, Separability, Personnel Files, Dues Deduction, Academic Freedom, Discipline & Discharge, and Grievance & Arbitration. The union's presentation helped the University understand its positions before responding to the proposals.
After discussing the CBA proposals, the parties engaged in a robust conversation about the Compensation MOU. During the afternoon session, the University presented the union with its counterproposals regarding the Compensation MOU.
We are encouraged by the productive discussion with the staff union with regard to the proposals for the CBA and Compensation MOU.
Sept. 27, 2024 - Important Election Information
On Friday, September 27, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) concluded their count of mail-in ballots for the University of Pittsburgh staff union election. The resulting outcome is that Pitt staff members will have two bargaining units, one for professional staff and one for nonprofessional staff, both represented by the United Steelworkers.
We have always maintained that this was a decision for staff to make. The University remains committed to maintaining an environment where all staff can thrive professionally.
In the coming weeks and months, we will begin preparing for collective bargaining negotiations with the staff union. While the bargaining process for first contracts can be complex, we remain committed to providing our staff and the Pitt community with current information. As the process moves forward, updates — including those regarding the collective bargaining process — will be posted here. We will also update our FAQs as appropriate.