This week, read about how postdocs and research associates are planning to win on high priority issues in the bargaining room, and an update on Penn graduate workers as they prepare for a potential strike.
Postdocs and research associates have made good progress at the negotiating table, but have begun to see resistance from Penn regarding some of our most high priority issues. These include longer initial appointments, which would provide us with additional security and stability at our jobs, as well as improved rights for international researchers, such as transparency about visa options and visa-related fee and travel reimbursement, which would ease a huge financial burden faced by so many of our colleagues. We know these improvements are possible when looking at the contracts negotiated by other unionized postdocs, but they are things postdocs and research associates will have to fight for in order to win.
The best way to enshrine these items in a contract is for a large majority of us to show that we are united in our support for these priorities. That’s why we are asking our colleagues to sign on to a letter to Provost Jackson that will urge his administration to come to a fair agreement on these items at the bargaining table, which we will deliver in hard copy once a majority signs on. Will you add your name alongside hundreds of other postdocs to underscore the necessity of these improvements to Provost Jackson?
Last November, over 2,200 graduate workers at Penn voted to authorize a strike if Penn is unable to come to a final agreement at the negotiating table. Subsequently, a strike deadline was set for February 17th, 2026. Our graduate colleagues perform vital work that advances the educational and research mission of the university, teaching undergraduate students and conducting cutting-edge scientific research. GETUP-UAW has been negotiating with Penn management over their first union contract for over 14 months, and the university still refuses to come to fair agreements on key issues, including:
- Compensation: Penn is currently proposing wage increases that would keep workers below what is considered a living wage in Philadelphia and would fail to bring graduate employee pay up to the standards of peer universities.
- Union Security: Penn is currently proposing an “open shop,” meaning that workers who choose not to become union members would not be required to pay an agency fee, or “fair share” fee, to the union, despite being covered under the union contract.
- Dependent Healthcare: Penn is currently proposing zero guaranteed coverage of dependent insurance premium costs.
- Visa Fees: Penn is currently proposing no reimbursement of initial visa fees for graduate employees on work visas, who comprise approximately 30% of all Penn graduate employees.
In the event that Penn continues to fail to reach a fair agreement that addresses these outstanding issues, graduate student employees are preparing to strike beginning Tuesday, February 17th. We will follow up with more information regarding how other workers and unions can support their fight and join other Penn workers on the picket line in the event of a strike.
Postdocs and Research Associates stand in solidarity with our graduate colleagues at Penn in their fight for a fair contract!
Faculty affiliated with AAUP-Penn are currently circulating a pledge for Penn employees to sign committing not to serve as strikebreakers if GETUP-UAW goes on strike. You can read the pledge and sign on at this link.
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 this Friday, February 13th 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,
Miguel DeLeon, Postdoctoral Researcher, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
On behalf of the RAPUP-UAW Organizing Committee