Takeaways:
Dear Colleagues,
We had a great turnout for our first membership meeting! At the meeting, we had a good discussion about where we’re at now in the bargaining process and what we can do to get a strong contract with meaningful raises as soon as possible.
This was only the first meeting of several, and when we have a ratified contract, we’ll be having monthly membership meetings. If you missed the meeting and want a recap, email [email protected] and a CAT member will be in touch to meet with you. Thank you all for coming out–an engaged Union is an effective Union!
For many of us, this is our first experience with being in a Union. We want to make sure everyone understands some of the terminology that is used regarding Unions. For this email, we’ll go over some of the finer points of how faculty are classified within the context of the Union. You may have seen the phrase “represented faculty” in an email from Hari Sastry relating to raises for the upcoming fiscal year. Represented faculty refers to all faculty in the bargaining unit. This includes all faculty members across all ranks (part-time, full-time NTS, tenure-stream, and tenured), schools, and campuses- except for faculty with primary appointments in the School of Medicine and those who have certain administrative titles. The composition of the bargaining unit was determined by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) before our election.
Regardless of membership in the Union, all members of the bargaining unit are represented by our Union and covered by the contract that is ratified by Union members. Union members commit to paying dues (1.5% of their total earnings from Pitt) which are necessary for our Union to function. It is only fair then that they are able to attend membership meetings and have a decision-making role in our Union. You can think about it like a professional organization. You pay a membership fee, which is necessary for that organization to function, and this gives you access to information and voting power within that organization. Ideally, everyone in the bargaining unit will also become a Union member. That is our goal and what will give us the most power to fight for the changes and protections that are important to us.
We hope that you will join us and become an official Union member! Our colleagues will be tabling this week at the following locations:
You can always visit our website, https://pittfaculty.org to request a card, and if you’re interested in helping out, reply to this email or reach out to us later at [email protected]
In solidarity,
Your Communications and Action Team (CAT)
Charlotte M. Johnson
Research Collection Coordinator, University Library System
Oakland Campus
Libraries CAT Turf Coordinator
Links!
- Membership meeting recap: We had a good discussion about where we’re at now and how we can work together to make progress at the bargaining table and secure a good contract and raises soon. If you missed the meeting and want a more detailed summary, email us at [email protected] and a member of our Communication and Action Team will reach out to you to set up a meeting.
- Represented faculty at Pitt are all faculty members across all schools, departments, and campuses except faculty in the School of Medicine and those with certain administrative titles (as determined by the labor board). Our Union contract, including the raises we negotiate, will apply to all represented faculty regardless of whether or not they have signed a membership card.
- Signing a membership card gives you a voice in our Union and gives us power at the bargaining table. You can find out more and request to sign a card on our website or stop by a membership card table this week at these locations: August 16 from 10 AM-2 PM on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning, August 17 from 10 AM-12:45 PM at Commonplace Coffee in Garfield, August 18 from 10 AM-12 PM at Cafe Americano in the South Hills.
Dear Colleagues,
We had a great turnout for our first membership meeting! At the meeting, we had a good discussion about where we’re at now in the bargaining process and what we can do to get a strong contract with meaningful raises as soon as possible.
This was only the first meeting of several, and when we have a ratified contract, we’ll be having monthly membership meetings. If you missed the meeting and want a recap, email [email protected] and a CAT member will be in touch to meet with you. Thank you all for coming out–an engaged Union is an effective Union!
For many of us, this is our first experience with being in a Union. We want to make sure everyone understands some of the terminology that is used regarding Unions. For this email, we’ll go over some of the finer points of how faculty are classified within the context of the Union. You may have seen the phrase “represented faculty” in an email from Hari Sastry relating to raises for the upcoming fiscal year. Represented faculty refers to all faculty in the bargaining unit. This includes all faculty members across all ranks (part-time, full-time NTS, tenure-stream, and tenured), schools, and campuses- except for faculty with primary appointments in the School of Medicine and those who have certain administrative titles. The composition of the bargaining unit was determined by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) before our election.
Regardless of membership in the Union, all members of the bargaining unit are represented by our Union and covered by the contract that is ratified by Union members. Union members commit to paying dues (1.5% of their total earnings from Pitt) which are necessary for our Union to function. It is only fair then that they are able to attend membership meetings and have a decision-making role in our Union. You can think about it like a professional organization. You pay a membership fee, which is necessary for that organization to function, and this gives you access to information and voting power within that organization. Ideally, everyone in the bargaining unit will also become a Union member. That is our goal and what will give us the most power to fight for the changes and protections that are important to us.
We hope that you will join us and become an official Union member! Our colleagues will be tabling this week at the following locations:
- August 16 from 10 AM - 2 PM on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning
- August 17 from 10 AM - 12:45 PM at Commonplace Coffee (5467 Penn Ave)
- August 18 from 10 AM - 12 PM at Cafe Americano (300 Mt Lebanon Blvd)
You can always visit our website, https://pittfaculty.org to request a card, and if you’re interested in helping out, reply to this email or reach out to us later at [email protected]
In solidarity,
Your Communications and Action Team (CAT)
Charlotte M. Johnson
Research Collection Coordinator, University Library System
Oakland Campus
Libraries CAT Turf Coordinator
Links!
- If someone forwarded this to you, sign up to receive these emails
- Find previous bargaining updates here
- Status of bargaining
- Get in touch with your Council rep
- Get involved with the Communication and Action Team
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