Late Monday night, the Penn community received the exciting news that our graduate student worker colleagues in GETUP-UAW reached a tentative bargaining agreement with the Penn administration and will avoid a strike. Graduate student workers will now have the opportunity to vote on the ratification of the agreement. This historic contract includes an immediate 21% salary increase on current minimums, 3% annual raises, additional funding for health insurance premiums, six weeks of paid medical leave, 8 weeks of parental leave, and more. The agreement represents a significant step toward greater financial stability and a higher quality of life for over 3,500 graduate student workers at Penn.
This hard-fought and well-deserved win has proven that a strong, clear, and united voice can effect real change. In other words: organizing works! In negotiations with Postdocs and Research Associates, the Penn administration has shown resistance to contract proposals that would strengthen our job security and rights for international workers. Can you take one minute to sign a letter to Provost Jackson urging Penn to work with Postdocs and Research Associates to codify the policies and protections we need to feel safe and do our jobs effectively?
Upcoming Events
- Bargaining Sessions: Our next bargaining session is on February 26 from 1-5pm. RSVP here. You can attend for any portion of the day. Check the #organizing channel on Slack for live updates of bargaining (and reply to this email if you want to be added to Slack).
- RAPUP-UAW Organizing 101 Training: Want to learn how to have effective conversations with colleagues about the importance of winning a first contract? RSVP for an upcoming training led by fellow postdocs and research associates using this link. The next training is scheduled for Friday, March 6th from 4-5pm.
- Film screening: Postdocs and research associates involved with RAPUP are planning to screen a documentary about the history of the labor movement. Stay tuned for more details and reply to this email if you’re interested in getting involved with planning the event!
In Solidarity,
Justin Roncaioli, Postdoctoral Researcher, Pathobiology
On behalf of the RAPUP-UAW Organizing Committee