By SUSAN JONES
Negotiations have begun in earnest for the first contract between the University and the Pitt staff union, represented by the United Steelworkers.
In two meetings this month, the union’s bargaining committee presented 13 proposals to the administration, and Matt Nader, a staff representative for the USW, said so far there are signs for optimism.
He said that a lot of the language on non-economic issues from the Pitt faculty contract, which was approved last year, “should transfer over pretty well to the staff contract, and then, eventually, to the grad contract as well.”
In its update about the Jan. 21 bargaining session, the USW said an interim agreement had been reached to ensure that staff can receive the promotions, raises and supplemental pay that had previously been promised to them.
This agreement was needed because issues around pay fall under the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board status quo policy.
Status quo means that “the existing state of affairs — all the policies and practices that have been in place for the years prior to the (union) certification — would kind of remain in place, which I think is somewhat hard for some people to understand, or maybe the University to understand, because there are so many different policies and practices,” Nader said.
These include all working conditions that are mandatory subjects of bargaining — compensation and benefits, such as medical insurance, vacation time and working hours. But also include other less obvious policies. For instance, the guidelines around the 7.5 hours per month that Pitt employees can take for volunteer or professional development time will remain unchanged during the status quo period, the University said.
Anyone who has questions or concerns about status quo can reach out to the union through the email staffunionofpitt@usw.org or can reach out to someone on the Communication & Action Team, which is made up of staff from every campus, job class and department.
The University has set up a status quo committee, which gives guidance on any questions that department administrators can’t handle.
The union also reported it had reached tentative agreements on seven proposals, including that staff cannot be disciplined or discharged without just cause.
Additionally, five new proposals were presented to the administration at the Jan. 21 bargaining session that define union rights and establish a labor-management committee that will meet periodically to discuss and resolve issues. The union also is seeking a collaborative approach to shared governance with Staff Council; clear limitations on circumstances during which staff layoffs can occur; and procedures to help staff who face potential layoffs with job placement.
Two more bargaining sessions are planned in February. Find more information on the Staff Union of Pitt website and the Office of Human Resources staff unionization information page.
Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.
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