The union representing University of Pittsburgh cleaners, housekeepers, grounds crew, and movers and receivers says it has agreed to a one-year contract as the result of uncertainty in education funding from the federal government.
The union, 32BJ SEIU, is a branch of the Service Employees International Union.
In a press release, the union said it has been negotiating with the university for several months. Its previous contract expired Dec. 31.
The union said three-year contracts are standard, but felt the need to reach a one-year deal.
The reason, the union said, “is directly correlated to a real fear on the part of the university that federal education funding cuts are coming from the current administration.”
A request for comment from a Pitt spokesperson Friday night was not returned.
“We are excited that we were able to get a deal done and that these hardworking people will be paid a wage more closely aligned with what workers at other large Pittsburgh universities make,” said Pete Schmidt, the union’s Western Pennsylvania district leader, in a statement. “However, it is frustrating that the university and the members will have to head back to the table again in a year because of the federal government’s warpath against education funding.
“This is a clear example of how the early stages of the current administration are directly impacting our working class.”
The union noted that in February, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it was slashing billions of dollars in federal research grants, many of which go to universities.
The proposed cuts target universities’ “indirect costs,” which include the costs of maintaining university buildings and campuses. The union said the proposed cuts also threaten the jobs of higher education service workers such as members of 32BJ SEIU.
“The workers were considered heroes and essential during the pandemic. They ensured the buildings were safe and clean and kept coming to work despite the risks to themselves and their families,” the union said. “They are the foundations of colleges and universities, ensuring the experience is top-notch for students, faculty, and staff.”
The union went on to say “NIH funding allows universities to carry out groundbreaking research on cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and other life-threatening conditions. Building service workers who maintain these laboratories and campuses … help make this research possible.”
Contract details
According to the union release, more than 400 of its union members at Pitt will receive a $1.25 an hour base wage raise with an additional 3% increase in pay retroactive to January 1. For cleaners, will increase from $20.02 to $21.91 an hour.
The union said the wage hikes bring wages for such jobs closer to what it called the industry standard.
It says the contract also simplifies the grievance process, establishes better mandatory overtime language to alleviate burnout and adds a fourth additional bonus personal holiday.