TWO NEW TAs; ALL NON-ECONOMIC PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED
Last Thursday, postdoctoral workers and research associates met with the Penn administration for a second bargaining session. Read below for updates.
During the session:
- The two sides reached Tentative Agreements (TAs) on two proposals: Workspace & Materials and Communication of Agreement. The first proposal ensures that postdocs and research associates are provided with the resources we need in our roles, while the second concerns the publishing and the dissemination of the final agreement between RAPUP-UAW and Penn once it is ratified by a vote.
- Postdocs and research associates introduced two new proposals on International Researcher Rights and Protections from Harassment, Discrimination, & Abuse. These are high-priority proposals for the vast majority of postdocs and researchers across the university. Penn admin’s questions during bargaining at times indicated that they have little understanding of the current policies surrounding international workers, making the testimony of postdocs on the Bargaining Committee crucial to relaying the significance of these items. We expect to receive more substantial responses on these proposals from Penn in future sessions.
- Postdocs and research associates also offered two counterproposals: Trainings and Health & Safety. Discussion continued between the two sides about specific language regarding the university’s responsibility to provide a safe workplace for postdocs and research associates, and we expect a counterproposal from admin at the next bargaining session.
- The only counterproposal brought by Penn admin is on Union Access & Rights.
- The next bargaining sessions will occur on Thursday, February 26 and Thursday, March 12, both from 1-5pm.
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.
All of the standard non-economic proposals that comprise a contract have now been introduced. While we wait on Penn’s response to 11 of these non-economic proposals, it is now time for postdocs and research associates to begin finalizing our economic proposals (i.e., things that will cost the university money). If you have strong opinions on things like postdoc pay and benefits, you can join the conversation on the RAPUP-UAW Slack and provide feedback on forthcoming proposals. To receive a Slack invitation, send an email to info@pennpostdocunion.org and another postdoc or research associate will respond.
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 for as little or as long as you would like.
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
- Join other postdocs and research associates on Friday, February 6th for RAPUP’s monthly First Friday happy hour! (More info coming in the next Weekly RAPUP)
- Postdocs and research associates are planning a film night where we will be screening a documentary that chronicles key aspects of the 20th century labor movement. Stay tuned for more details.
In solidarity,
Jani Bilchak, Postdoctoral Fellow, Psychiatry
On behalf of the RAPUP-UAW Organizing Committee