This past Wednesday, Postdocs and Research Associates met with the Penn administration for our eleventh bargaining session. The big takeaway? Organizing works! After delivering a petition signed by over 700 Postdocs and Research Associates in support of increased appointment lengths and improved support for international researchers, Penn admin finally came to the bargaining table prepared to discuss these proposals. When a growing majority of Postdocs and Research Associates take action together, Penn has no option other than to respond. In order to build on this momentum and continue making progress in negotiations, we need a strong presence in the bargaining room going forward. Our next session is less than a week away on Wednesday, July 15th at 1:00pm (stay tuned for location) – see you there!
Also during the session:
- We passed Penn our fourth version of a Workloads proposal. In prior versions, Penn admin has objected to language that work schedules should be “reasonable,” which is intended to protect Postdocs from the most egregious instances of overwork. To illustrate this point, a current Postdoc provided personal testimony on their experience of acute overwork. We also provided examples from five other postdoc contracts (Mount Sinai, Columbia, University of California, University of Washington, and Weill Cornell School of Medicine) that all contain language that work schedules must be “reasonable.” We await Penn’s response to this latest version, but are hopeful we can reach an agreement on the proposal soon.
- Penn introduced counterproposals to Appointments and Reappointments and International Researcher Rights. These responses came after over 700 Postdocs and Research Associates signed a petition letter expressing their support for our initial proposals on these topics. Unfortunately, Penn’s proposals do not yet address some of the highest priorities of Postdocs and Research Associates, such as increased initial appointment lengths and reimbursement of visa-related costs. Postdocs and Research Associates will continue to build our power to achieve positive movement towards these goals.
- The next bargaining sessions are set for July 15th and 29th from 1-5pm. 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.
In solidarity,
Juhi Farooqui, Postdoctoral Fellow, Medical Ethics and Health Policy (member of RAPUP-UAW Bargaining Committee)
Allison Cohen, Postdoctoral Fellow, Pathobiology (member of RAPUP-UAW Bargaining Committee)
Estela Noguera-Ortega, Research Associate, Radiology (member of RAPUP-UAW Bargaining Committee)
Geordan Stukey, Postdoctoral Researcher, Physiology (member of RAPUP-UAW Bargaining Committee)
Patrick Monari, Postdoctoral Researcher, Psychology (member of RAPUP-UAW Bargaining Committee)
Deborah Minzaghi, Postdoctoral Researcher, Dermatology (member of RAPUP-UAW Bargaining Committee)
On behalf of the RAPUP-UAW Organizing Committee