Penn Dining and Penn Libraries union workers are continuing contract negotiations with the University after their collective bargaining agreements expired at the end of last month.<\/p>\n
Since their contract expired on July 31, the workers \u2014 represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees \u2014 have called for higher pay and stronger contracts in a series of social media posts over the past two weeks. The developments come months after Penn Libraries workers raised concerns about potential changes<\/a> to employees\u2019 benefits.<\/p>\n Requests for comment were left with Penn Dining and a University spokesperson.<\/p>\n In a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian, AFSCME District Council 47 lead negotiator Sarah Shaw wrote that Penn Libraries United has reached an agreement \u201con maintaining health, retirement, and other benefits at their current levels.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur proposals are reasonable, but Penn keeps falling short,\u201d Shaw added. \u201cWe see the money being allocated for other priorities. The University has hundreds of millions to spend on construction and renovation projects, but we can\u2019t reach agreement on reasonable raises for the humans who work in those buildings, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck?\u201d<\/p>\n Get the DP delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n Sign Up<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cPenn staff are united for fair pay NOW,\u201d AFSCME District Council 47 wrote<\/a> in an Aug. 3 social media post.<\/p>\n The union highlighted several Penn employees across recent posts, including Penn Dining Services cook Sharon Brown, who pointed to the rising cost of living as a concern during negotiations.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the time and effort we put in, we deserve a fair contract; especially with the cost of living so high right now,\u201d Brown wrote in the post.<\/p>\n Penn Libraries catalog support librarian Jena Barnes similarly cited rising costs for gas, groceries, health insurance, and rest, writing that they have \u201cfar \u200b\u200boutpaced the rate of annual raises that Penn Libraries are proposing to Union employees.\u201d<\/p>\n Other employees emphasized their work at the University and the importance of securing a new agreement. Library account specialist Paulette Mitchell wrote<\/a> that the workers \u201cdeserve a robust contract because we work hard and are committed to our work,\u201d while Penn Dining employee Sidney Shuford added that he wanted a fair contract because he has \u201ca family to support.\u201d<\/p>\n In April, Shaw told the DP that Penn Libraries and Penn Museum staff were concerned about possible reductions to health care, retirement, and paid time off benefits. At the time, Shaw pointed to changes in Penn\u2019s employee health benefits, including the introduction of a $100 monthly premium for employees covering a spouse or partner who is eligible for insurance through their own employer.<\/p>\n She also raised concerns about contract language governing whether Penn could reduce employee benefits during the term of an agreement. At the time, she said the University appeared to \u201cwant to keep the door open to literally making people\u2019s benefits worse.\u201d Penn later agreed to language stating it would not reduce benefits for the duration of the agreement.<\/p>\n The ongoing negotiations come amid continued labor activity across Penn. Earlier this year, the University reached its first contract<\/a> with its graduate worker union, Graduate Employees Together \u2014 University of Pennsylvania, narrowly averting a strike by thousands of graduate workers. Research Associates and Postdocs United at Penn is also negotiating<\/a> its first contract with the University, while Penn Live Arts production employees voted unanimously to unionize<\/a> in April.<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder, is this still a competitive workplace? Are my skills valued here?\u201d Barnes wrote in the social media post. \u201cUnion members don\u2019t just want to get by\u2014we want to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Senior reporter Ananya Karthik covers central administration and can be reached at karthik@thedp.com<\/a>. At Penn, she studies communication and economics. Follow her on X @ananyaakarthik<\/a>.<\/p>\n