Faculty members signing their Union membership cards.
Faculty members from across the university are signing their Union membership cards! They are signing cards in their homes, on campus, and in coffee shops. Members from every school and campus have joined our Union. They are part-time instructors, librarians, Falk school teachers, visiting professors, assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors.
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. Members will not start paying dues until we ratify our first contract. Dues are 1.5% of total earnings from Pitt. Dues are our collective financial power and they are necessary for our Union to function.
Once our bargaining committee and the administration reach a tentative agreement, there will likely be a short window during which members can vote on whether or not they want to ratify the contract. We will 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 have time to evaluate and vote on the tentative agreement when it is ready.
The membership card is different from the authorization card you may have signed in the past. If you haven't signed a card this year, you are not a member of our union yet. Email us if you have any questions about your membership status or eligibility- [email protected]
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 a member of the bargaining unit does not automatically make you a member of the Union. The contract that our bargaining committee is negotiating with the administration will govern the working conditions of all members of the bargaining unit, but only Union members will have a voice in ratifying the contract and setting priorities for future contracts.
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?
We will always be collecting membership cards, but it’s best to sign a card now so that you will be ready to vote when our bargaining committee and the administration reach a tentative agreement on our contract. 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 help them sign a card.
I can’t make it to campus to sign a card. What should I do?
Not a problem, we can come to you! Complete this form with your contact information and someone will reach out to you to answer any further questions and help you sign a card.
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. Members will not start paying dues until we ratify our first contract. Dues are 1.5% of total earnings from Pitt. Dues are our collective financial power and they are necessary for our Union to function.
Once our bargaining committee and the administration reach a tentative agreement, there will likely be a short window during which members can vote on whether or not they want to ratify the contract. We will 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 have time to evaluate and vote on the tentative agreement when it is ready.
The membership card is different from the authorization card you may have signed in the past. If you haven't signed a card this year, you are not a member of our union yet. Email us if you have any questions about your membership status or eligibility- [email protected]
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 a member of the bargaining unit does not automatically make you a member of the Union. The contract that our bargaining committee is negotiating with the administration will govern the working conditions of all members of the bargaining unit, but only Union members will have a voice in ratifying the contract and setting priorities for future contracts.
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?
We will always be collecting membership cards, but it’s best to sign a card now so that you will be ready to vote when our bargaining committee and the administration reach a tentative agreement on our contract. 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 help them sign a card.
I can’t make it to campus to sign a card. What should I do?
Not a problem, we can come to you! Complete this form with your contact information and someone will reach out to you to answer any further questions and help you sign a card.
