Admin moves when we demonstrate our power

Yesterday, graduate workers met with Penn admin for our sixth bargaining session. The petition signed by over 1,300 graduate workers made an impact. Grad workers also put pressure on the admin team by packing the bargaining room and delivering powerful testimonials on the harms perpetuated by a delayed contract. Penn admin responded to five proposals today—more than ever before in a single session—and they countered two proposals for the first time. They also agreed to meet more frequently in the spring semester so we can reach agreement more quickly.

Dozens of Penn grad workers packed the bargaining room on December 9.

We’re still waiting on a response to eight of our outstanding proposals: Access Needs, Appointments, Freedom of Speech and Expression, Job Scheduling and Expectations of Work, Intellectual Property, Recognition, and Union Security. Yesterday, two graduate workers testified on how the university’s failure to promptly respond to articles is burdening graduate employees. If the contract delays are harming your life, sign up to give a testimonial during the spring semester here.

In today’s session:

• The University presented counter-proposals on Health and Safety, Protections Against Discrimination and Harassment, and Workspace and Materials. 

• We presented counters on Workspace and Materials and Health and Safety, and countered twice on Employment Files and Training. We feel we are close to an agreement on both Employment Files and Training. 

• Admin rejected all of our language from Protections Against Discrimination and Harassment. You can see their edits here:

Grad workers volunteered enormous effort to craft this article, detailing protections against abuse, harassment, and discrimination. This proposal was based on the needs of Penn graduate workers as outlined in the bargaining survey and countless organizing conversations as well as contracts from peer institutions. Penn admin struck the entirety of our proposed article (in blue) and replaced it with a paragraph (in red) that merely states that Penn’s existing policies are sufficient. Their version of the article proposes removing protections against retaliation and sexual misconduct, and excludes categories such as caste and status as a victim of domestic violence from discrimination protection. We know Penn’s existing policies aren’t working to protect grad workers and we can’t allow these policies to continue. It’s past time to negotiate a better solution.

It’s clear that our collective action forces progress at the bargaining table and results in a strong contract to improve our compensation and working conditions. Our first bargaining session next semester is Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at 10:30AM. Join your colleagues to pack the bargaining room and demonstrate our collective power to the University!

In Solidarity,

The GETUP-UAW Bargaining Committee