Bargaining Update: More progress made on non-economic proposals, but Penn is unconcerned with overwork

Yesterday, Postdocs and Research Associates met with the Penn administration for our ninth bargaining session.

During the session:

We passed a counterproposal on Workload in which we continued to push for language that would protect Postdocs and Research Associates from consistent and extreme overwork and establish reasonable expectations. Penn admin strongly resisted this language and responded that they are “not interested in solving” the issue of overwork in our contract.
We continue to make progress on Union Access and Rights and Grievance and Arbitration. These proposals allow Postdocs and Research Associates to effectively inform our coworkers about their rights as members of a union and enforce the protections contained in our contract.
Penn introduced their first response to our proposal on Union Security. This is a crucial proposal that concerns Postdocs’ and Research Associates’ ability to maintain the financial resources necessary to build a strong union and enforce our contract. The security, stability, and workplace improvements of our contract will cover all Postdocs and Research Associates, regardless of the decision to become members of our union. Union Security would ensure we all contribute our fair share when it comes to maintaining the gains of our contract. In their counterproposal, Penn admin is attempting to weaken our ability to build a strong and fair union.
The next bargaining session will occur on Tuesday, June 9th from 1-5pm at The Study (20 S 33rd St) [directions here]. 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.

Upcoming Events and Announcements

RAPUP-UAW Petition for Longer Appointment Lengths and Increased Support for International Researchers (ongoing): In order to make progress in our upcoming bargaining sessions, Postdocs and Research Associates must show Penn that a strong majority of us expect to see responses to some of our highest priorities. That is why nearly 700 Postdocs and Research Associates across Penn have already signed on to a letter demanding the university come to a fair agreement without delay on our proposals relating to Appointments and Reappointments and International Researcher Rights. If you have not already done so, take 30 seconds to read the letter and add your name using this link.
Movie Night (Friday, May 29): From 4-5:30pm, join other academic workers for a screening of Partners: How Starbucks Baristas Started a Labor Revolution, a documentary about the origins of the growing movement to unionize Starbucks. Following the 40-minute documentary will be a Q&A with a local barista-organizer, after which the group will go to the RAPUP-UAW Spring Happy Hour (see below). RSVP using this link.
RAPUP-UAW May Social Event (Friday, May 29): From 5-8pm, join other Postdocs and Research Associates for a happy hour celebration at Frankie’s Summer Club at 15th and Pine [directions here].
Bargaining Session (Tuesday, June 9): Our next bargaining session is on Tuesday, June 9th from 1-5pm. RSVP here to attend as an observer. You can stay 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).