GET-UP Bargaining Committee Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the committee is to negotiate an initial collective bargaining agreement with the university administration’s team. Election to the committee obligates each member to represent and fight for the best possible contract for all members of the bargaining unit.

It is crucial that bargaining committee members participate in organizing their coworkers and remain in close contact with members of the organizing committee during the negotiations process. The following are the unique roles and responsibilities of bargaining committee members.

The committee will be trained and assisted by experienced negotiators from our affiliate union, the UAW, who will also participate in the negotiations with the university. See below for specific responsibilities.

• Educate oneself and lead working groups that develop and move articles through the negotiations process.
• Working groups:
• International Students
• Childcare and Dependent Support
• Access needs
• Benefits
• Compensation
• Health and Safety
• Union Access and Recognition
• Penn Pays Back
• Grievance and Arbitration
• Develop bargaining goals and produce initial contract article language in collaboration with leaders and union members using surveys, relevant contracts, membership feedback, etc.
• Attend negotiating sessions with the university and Union internal caucuses or meetings in order to advance our bargaining agenda:
• Bargaining sessions (2-3 times/month, during work hours)
• Internal bargaining committee meetings (weekly)
• Develop and present contract language proposals to the university bargaining team for negotiation. Assess, analyze and respond to the university’s bargaining proposals and develop union counter proposals, through active participation in bargaining session caucuses and attendance at working groups.
• Lead campaign strategizing to win a strong contract by:
• Actively participating in Organizing Committee (OC) meetings (weekly)
• Actively participating in Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings (approximately weekly)
• Actively participate in organizing tasks to win a strong contract and keep membership and allies organized and educated in relation to negotiations, including but not limited to:
• Participate in organizing drives to win a strong contract which are determined by all workers at OC and CAT meetings
• Turn out coworkers to attend bargaining sessions
• Talk to your coworkers about what happened during bargaining sessions
• Solicit testimonials related to contract proposals
• Participate in drafting bargaining session email updates
• Make a recommendation to the membership on whether to approve a contract or take other actions (e.g. a vote to authorize the committee to call for strike action if necessary).

Committee members should assume that the time commitment will be significant (10-15 hours a week). Note that the schedule of bargaining itself is subject to negotiation with the university.