Now is the time to sign your union membership card! Our bargaining committee is very close to reaching a tentative agreement with the administration on the contract that will cover everyone in the bargaining unit. In order to vote on this contract, you will need to become a union member by signing a membership card. There will be a short window during which union members can vote. We want to lock in the transparency, protections, and benefits of this contract as soon as possible. Therefore, it is best to sign a membership card now in order to make sure you are set up in the system and ready to vote on the tentative agreement. Members won’t start paying dues until we ratify the contract so there is no reason to delay.
Why become a member of our Union? As former Chancellor Gallagher said in an interview with the Pitt News, “That’s how you have a voice.” Only members will be able to vote on our contract, elect union representatives, participate in a strike vote (if there were one), and decide how to spend our dues money. In addition, the more members we have, the more leverage we have at the bargaining table for this and for all future contracts. We are stronger when we stand together!
The best way to learn about Union membership is to talk to a Communication and Action Team member in your area, but here are some common questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aren’t I already a member of the Union?
Being part of the bargaining unit does not automatically make you a member of the Union, nor does having signed an authorization card prior to the vote on forming a union. The contract that our bargaining committee is negotiating with the administration will govern the working conditions of everyone in the bargaining unit, but only union members will have a voice in ratifying the contract and setting priorities for future contracts.
I’m a part-time or visiting faculty member. Can I be a member of the Union?
Yes! Part-time and visiting faculty are included in the bargaining unit and thus covered by the contract. In fact, one of our top priorities for this contract is to increase pay and job security for faculty members like you. You can be a member in good standing even during semesters when you are not currently employed at Pitt, as long as you are regularly employed at Pitt one term per year, and you will only pay dues when you are receiving a paycheck from Pitt. Feel free to email us if you have any questions about your eligibility ([email protected]).
How much are dues?
Dues are 1.5% of your total earnings from Pitt. Dues are only deducted when you are receiving a paycheck from Pitt and we will not start paying dues until we ratify our first contract and any pay increases we negotiate go into effect. Of this money, 44% will stay with our local union. Members will decide how we spend that money. Dues are necessary for our Union to function and we can do a lot of good for our institution and our community with this money!
Do I have to sign a membership card now?
Quite frankly, if you want to be able to vote on our contract, yes! There will likely be a short window during which members can vote on our contract and it will be difficult to reach out to everyone during that time to answer questions and help them sign a card.
I’m ready to sign. What do I do?
Click on the “Become a Member” button at the top of this page and you will receive a digital membership card. Fill this card out with your info, sign using DocuSign, and you are all set!
Why become a member of our Union? As former Chancellor Gallagher said in an interview with the Pitt News, “That’s how you have a voice.” Only members will be able to vote on our contract, elect union representatives, participate in a strike vote (if there were one), and decide how to spend our dues money. In addition, the more members we have, the more leverage we have at the bargaining table for this and for all future contracts. We are stronger when we stand together!
The best way to learn about Union membership is to talk to a Communication and Action Team member in your area, but here are some common questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aren’t I already a member of the Union?
Being part of the bargaining unit does not automatically make you a member of the Union, nor does having signed an authorization card prior to the vote on forming a union. The contract that our bargaining committee is negotiating with the administration will govern the working conditions of everyone in the bargaining unit, but only union members will have a voice in ratifying the contract and setting priorities for future contracts.
I’m a part-time or visiting faculty member. Can I be a member of the Union?
Yes! Part-time and visiting faculty are included in the bargaining unit and thus covered by the contract. In fact, one of our top priorities for this contract is to increase pay and job security for faculty members like you. You can be a member in good standing even during semesters when you are not currently employed at Pitt, as long as you are regularly employed at Pitt one term per year, and you will only pay dues when you are receiving a paycheck from Pitt. Feel free to email us if you have any questions about your eligibility ([email protected]).
How much are dues?
Dues are 1.5% of your total earnings from Pitt. Dues are only deducted when you are receiving a paycheck from Pitt and we will not start paying dues until we ratify our first contract and any pay increases we negotiate go into effect. Of this money, 44% will stay with our local union. Members will decide how we spend that money. Dues are necessary for our Union to function and we can do a lot of good for our institution and our community with this money!
Do I have to sign a membership card now?
Quite frankly, if you want to be able to vote on our contract, yes! There will likely be a short window during which members can vote on our contract and it will be difficult to reach out to everyone during that time to answer questions and help them sign a card.
I’m ready to sign. What do I do?
Click on the “Become a Member” button at the top of this page and you will receive a digital membership card. Fill this card out with your info, sign using DocuSign, and you are all set!
