This past Tuesday, Postdocs and Yesterday, Postdocs and Research Associates met with the Penn administration for our tenth bargaining session and the first session since we delivered our petition to Provost Jackson demanding that Penn work towards an agreement that would increase appointment lengths and improve the rights and protections for international researchers.
The petition, signed by 735 Postdocs and Research Associates, had a direct impact in the bargaining room. Penn made it clear that they received our message and understand that International Researcher Rights and Appointment Lengths are high priority issues for Postdocs and Research Associates. We’re excited to see their responses to our initial proposals on these issues at the upcoming bargaining sessions in July.
Also during the session:
- We reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Union Rights and Access. This proposal allows Postdocs and Research Associates to effectively inform our coworkers about their rights as members of a union.
- Penn admin offered a counterproposal on Workload which still does not sufficiently address the issue of overwork. During discussions, we continued to stress the need for protections from extreme overwork. Penn has acknowledged our concerns but has not yet agreed to language that would protect Postdocs and Research Associates from unreasonable workload expectations.
- We continued negotiations on two additional articles, Union Security and Grievance and Arbitration, which would enable Postdocs and Research Associates to build a powerful union and enforce the protections contained in our contract.
- We passed Penn admin counterproposals on Discipline and Dismissal, which included language that would ensure that Postdocs and Research Associates have rights and protections in cases of investigatory leave, and No Strike, No Lockout, a standard contract provision that states workers will not engage in strike activity when our contract is active.
- The next three bargaining sessions are set for July 8th, 15th, 30th from 1-5pm – location TBD. You can RSVP to attend as an observer using this link.
The text of all proposals and counterproposals can be read using the RAPUP-UAW 2025-2026 Bargaining Tracker that will be published on our website and updated after each bargaining session. Bargaining sessions are open to all Postdocs and Research Associates. A key factor to winning a strong contract is for Postdocs and Research Associates to stay informed of the bargaining process and continuously demonstrate our broad and deep support. Attending bargaining helps achieve both of these goals! We have also seen that admin is more willing to listen to Postdocs and Research Associates on the Bargaining Committee when there are more observers in the room. You can attend as briefly or for as long as you would like. RSVP to attend as an observer using this link. (Note: an RSVP is not required to attend – drop-ins are welcome!).
Upcoming Events and Announcements
- Bargaining Sessions (July 8th, 15th, and 30th): RSVP here to attend bargaining as an observer and see how Penn responds to our petition for increased appointment lengths and international researcher rights. You can stay for any portion of the session. Check the #organizing channel on Slack for live updates of bargaining (and reply to this email if you want to be added to the RAPUP-UAW Slack).
- RAPUP Summer School: Postdocs and RAs are planning a series of three workshops this summer which will cover the basics of organizing and how to win a strong contract. Sessions will begin in July – more info to follow!
- The Daily Pennsylvanian wrote about our petition for international researcher rights and increased appointment lengths! Read the article here: “Over 700 Penn research associates, postdocs sign petition supporting international workers”
In solidarity,
Juhi Farooqui, Postdoctoral Fellow, Medical Ethics and Health Policy (member of RAPUP-UAW Bargaining Committee)
Ryan Fair, Postdoctoral Researcher, Radiology (member of RAPUP-UAW Bargaining Committee)
Allison Cohen, Postdoctoral Fellow, Pathobiology (member of RAPUP-UAW Bargaining Committee)
On behalf of the RAPUP-UAW Organizing Committee