Pitt graduate workers request union recognition

Graduate workers at Pitt are asking for voluntary recognition of their union, claiming majority support for collective bargaining.

Hundreds of graduate workers, United Steelworkers organizers and unaffiliated supporters gathered on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning Tuesday to deliver a letter to Chancellor Joan Gabel with a request.

“We deserve a say in our pay and our benefits,” said Alison Mahoney, a doctoral student in the theatre arts program. “The majority of grads… we’ve already made our decision to unionize and we hope that Chancellor Gabel would respect that by voluntarily recognizing our union today.”

Gabel was out of the office for “previously scheduled off-campus meetings and engagements,” but had prepared a letter in response.

“I want to take this opportunity to convey how vital graduate students are at Pitt, as well as my sincere appreciation for all you do… I respect your agency and self-determination to undertake this effort and look forward to continuing our important engagement in the days ahead,” Gabel said.

Shortly after the letter was delivered to the chancellor’s office, a fire alarm forced everyone outside. Pitt spokesperson Jared Stonesifer said the cause of the alarm is under review, but responders were unable to find any threat.

Without recognition from Pitt, union officials said they will file for an election with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board Wednesday.

Graduate workers said they’re seeking higher wages, more favorable sick leave policies and stronger enforcement of anti-discrimination policies.

Adding to these longstanding grievances, the university amended graduate workers’ medical insurance plan as the fall semester began with little warning. Among the changes: the end of fully coverage hospitals stays, 600% higher copays for therapy and primary care as well as a $250 individual deductible, up from zero.

“When we are alone, they never have to listen to our voices,” said Duncan Riley, a doctoral student in the history program. “But when we organize, we can force them to come to the table and negotiate with us and win democracy in our workplace.”

If successful, graduate workers would join the United Steelworkers, which represents Pitt faculty and supports a union effort from staff.

Union organizers launched the card campaign for graduate workers in October. To trigger a vote, organizers must submit authorization cards from at least 30% of the proposed bargaining unit, indicating substantial support for an election.

If an election is initiated, it’ll likely be many months before graduate workers get to cast their votes. Pitt staff await an election date after submitting a sufficient number of cards in June.

Graduate workers at Pitt have made a push to unionize before. In 2019, union supporters endured a narrow and controversial defeat, with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board ruling that the university engaged in “coercive acts” that amounted to voter intimidation. However, the board upheld the election result, concluding that Pitt’s action did not influence the ultimate outcome.

Since then, landslide wins for graduate worker unions have become the norm nationwide. In 2023 alone, graduate workers at Duke, Yale and several other big-name institutions voted to unionize by wide margins.

Riley said he didn’t want to discount the years of hard work by organizers at Pitt, but feels emboldened by the success of organized labor at other universities.

“That’s been exciting to see these massive victories across the country,” Riley said.