Over 175 grad workers pack the room for better pay

Last Friday, June 13, graduate workers presented our remaining economic proposals to admin. After a morning session in which we passed two proposals, and admin promised to have two additional proposals ready for us in the afternoon, we reconvened to present crucial economic articles for our contract that included Compensation, Childcare, Healthcare, Retirement, and more. Ten grad workers provided testimony on the necessity of improvements to our compensation and benefits to maintain our wellbeing while working at Penn. Over 175 graduate workers turned out to support those who gave testimonies and tell Penn that we are tired of being underpaid and under supported. Admin had no questions about the testimonies or responses to any of these articles.

During Friday’s bargaining session:

• In the morning we passed counterproposals on: Prohibition Against Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment and  Workers’ Compensation.
• We passed initial proposals for all of our economic articles. These articles are: Childcare, Compensation, Employee Assistance Program, Healthcare, Housing, Life Insurance, Retirement, and Tuition and Fee Remission.
• Ten graduate workers presented testimonials to explain why the economic articles are important to their lives.
• Admin did not pass any counterproposals.

Despite promising to pass us counterproposals during the morning portion of the session, admin refused to return to the packed room after we presented our proposals, and ended the session two hours early. Our turnout on Friday was a reminder to Penn that graduate workers are unified and engaged in these contract negotiations, and that scares them. They know we have power in numbers. As we continue bargaining this summer, we can show them that we are ready to fight for what we deserve.