USW Calls on University of Pittsburgh Administration to Bargain in Good Faith

Contact: R.J. Hufnagel, [email protected], 412-562-2450

(Pittsburgh) – The United Steelworkers (USW) union called on the University of Pittsburgh administration to bargain in good faith with its unionized employees following a decision from the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB) that found the university guilty of unfair labor practices in its contract negotiations with USW members.

In his decision, PLRB Hearing Examiner Stephen Helmerich ordered the university administration to cease “interfering, restraining or coercing employees” after the university was found to have engaged in illegal “direct dealing” by surveying union workers about mandatory subjects of bargaining and to have coercively interrogated staff regarding union membership. 

“It’s time for the University of Pittsburgh administration to stop dragging its feet and get down to the business of bargaining fair contracts,” said USW District 10 Director Bernie Hall, who represents about 50,000 union workers across Pennsylvania. “Sadly, rather than acting in good faith, the administration is engaging in conduct inconsistent with its values as a world-class educational institution.”

In total, the USW represents about 12,000 faculty, graduate workers and staff at the university’s main campus in Pittsburgh and regional campuses. Graduate workers and staff have been in the process of bargaining their first contracts since early 2025, while faculty members are negotiating their second agreement.

“It’s unfortunate that Pitt chose a well-known anti-union firm, Ogletree Deakins, to represent the administration in negotiations,” Hall said. “This, along with the glacially slow pace at which the administration is moving, is a clear signal that they are not serious about reaching a fair agreement in a timely manner.”

“It’s time for the administration to stop stalling and prioritize the employees who make Pitt work,” said Jen Goeckeler-Fried, bargaining chair for the university staff. “We were disappointed that the university chose to engage in illegal activity. Going forward, Pitt’s faculty, staff and graduate workers hope to collaborate with the administration in good faith to bargain new contracts that are fair to both sides.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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