By MARTY LEVINE
Given the staff union brewing this spring, Chancellor Joan Gabel faced some contentious questions at Staff Council’s annual Spring Assembly on May 8.
“I want you to know how seen all that effort is,” she told staff members about their work, in opening her talk. “One of our strengths,” she also said, is that there is “a lot of independence in how we go about doing things.”
But the question-and-answer period began with an employee saying that she had been at Pitt for 10 years but her pay was low enough that “I can get housing assistance with that.”
“We know that we need to work on both salaries and the equity and consistency of salaries,” Gabel answered. The question, she added, was “how we do so amidst an environment in which the source of new revenue is constrained.” She pointed to the current process of compensation modernization being undertaken by Human Resources, although she admits it is happening “not fast enough.”
“I want you to know we are aware of the problem” and looking for solutions “with the full support of the Board (of Trustees),” Gabel said.
An employee of the University Center for Teaching and Learning told Gabel that “one of the reasons I got involved in higher education is, I believe in the mission. … It is a mission of civic betterment. Can we expect transparency” concerning the endowment, he asked, “so we can hold the University accountable in terms of its civic mission?”
“There is a whole process for how you ask for greater information,” Gabel answered. “You’re welcome to go through that process.”
Another staff member asked for “some way for a Pitt staff to have some say in our benefits and how they are proctored.” HR head James Gallaher, who was in attendance, pointed out that there is a committee with staff representation that meets to discuss benefit levels, “so we do have representation at the table already when we talk about benefits adjustments.”
Asked whether the new health and wellness center for students under construction on O’Hara Street would allow employee access, Gabel said this had not yet been determined.
The event, at the William Pitt Union, opened with Athletic Director Heather Lyke addressing the theme of the event — Pitt benefits.
“Being a part of the Staff Council is a real benefit. Not every university has that,” Lyke pointed out.
“You can have the greatest benefits in the world … like parking,” she added, to a laugh, “but if you don’t have the great people ... I don’t think it represents the organization as much. I think it starts with the people. That is the core of any great organization.”
Asking those in attendance to shout out their favorite benefit, staff members mentioned retirement, the education tuition break, health insurance, winter recess, the opportunity for hybrid work at office and home, Pitt’s summer softball league and the chance to undertake “meaningful work.”
Lyke’s likes began with “world-class medical care right here in the city of Pittsburgh,” as well as the city itself, “a great city, a world-class city, but a giant small town,” as well as “a walkable campus, although I did actually drive here,” she admitted. Next came season tickets to football and basketball games at 25 percent discount for employees, paid time off, 401Ks and the future recreation and wellness center.
She also highlighted “the world of athletics.” Just attending these games, she said, “is a great opportunity for all of you to socialize as a group. Don’t we have some great spaces?”
Then she expanded the concept of benefits to include traditions, since they “bring us together,” Lyke said.
Her list began with the annual chancellor’s picnic, Victory Lights on the Cathedral of Learning and the varsity walk, a brick pathway between the Cathedral and Heinz Chapel whose inscribed names make it “a history lesson in athletics.” She included the chapel, as well as Lantern Night, the Pitt Alumni Blue and Gold Society and the existence of Schenley Park as “a beautiful place to get away.”
“I hope we don’t ever take them for granted,” she said of all of these benefits and traditions, asserting that Pitt has “an inspiring culture to work under. I hope you have a sense of pride in working here.”
The event concluded with an opportunity to get more information about Pitt benefits and organizations from tables with personnel from union organizers, the office of engagement and community affairs, Pitt police, the parking office, athletics and the benefits department itself.
Marty Levine is a staff writer for the University Times. Reach him at martyl@pitt.edu or 412-758-4859.
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