\n\tBy MARTY LEVINE<\/p>\n
\n\tSince a new Voluntary Early Retirement Program (VERP) was announced Oct. 21 for eligible non-represented faculty and staff, Human Resources has \u201cgot a ton\u201d of inquiries from union-represented staff about a VERP plan for them, Staff Council member Mark Kotzin, an HR communications manager, told the group\u2019s Oct. 28 meeting. Kotzin added that negotiations with the union are ongoing and said a VERP for union members would likely happen. \u201cIt’s in the works \u2013 just nothing announced yet,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe United Steelworkers (USW) represents both the faculty and staff unions at Pitt and is\u00a0engaged with the University administration<\/a>\u00a0on the details of a VERP for represented employees. Tyler Bickford, professor of English and president of the Pitt faculty union, described the parties this week as \u201chopefully close\u201d on a VERP agreement.<\/p>\n \tOther Staff Council news\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tThe organization released the findings of its\u00a02026 Safety Crawl<\/a>\u00a0on the Pittsburgh campus, which details \u201cdeteriorated sidewalks, curbs and pavement; crosswalk and pedestrian-crossing safety and vehicles blocking or endangering pedestrian\/bike spaces.\u201d On May 5, members of the organization were joined by Pitt Police and staff from the offices of Planning, Design, & Construction, Environmental Health & Safety, Engagement & Community Affairs and others on a walking inspection of O\u2019Hara Street and Fifth Avenue between Bellefield and DeSoto.<\/p>\n \n\tWhile most Staff Council meetings remain online, the group announced that its February 17 meeting will be in person, with a location to be announced.<\/p>\n \n\t\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tMarty Levine is a staff writer for the University Times.\u00a0Reach him at\u00a0martyl@pitt.edu<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0412-758-4859.<\/p>\n \n\tHave a story idea or news to share?\u00a0Share<\/a>\u00a0it with the University Times.<\/p>\n