Grad workers challenge admin on inadequate counterproposals

After three productive sessions with multiple tentative agreements, this week’s bargaining session was a reminder that constant pressure is needed to make progress. Admin responded to our Access Needs proposal for the first time — an article which we originally presented on October 30, 2024. However, Penn’s counterproposal changed the title and removed all of our original language. In place of grad workers’ robust proposal to improve workplace accessibility, admin’s response offers nothing but a statement that the University will do what is legally required. Admin made minimal movement on the other three proposals they presented this week, but through pointed questioning, we were able to clarify grad workers’ rights to have union support in critical spaces like accommodations meetings and new employee orientations. 

During Wednesday’s bargaining session:

• Admin passed two other counterproposals: Union Rights and Disability Accommodations.
• Admin passed a proposal packaging Union Security and Management and Academic Rights.

We will only win the contract we deserve by demonstrating our collective power to the University. Real progress has been made in the last month, and we can’t slow down now. It is imperative that you and your coworkers show up to the bargaining room to demonstrate unequivocally that these proposals and a strong contract are necessary to our collective success at Penn. RSVP here. 

Please note, for the June 5th bargaining session only, there will be a change of location. Our June 5th session will take place from 10:30-4:30PM at the Inn at Penn, not the Sheraton University City Hotel.