News Summary
The Graduate Employees Together — University of Pennsylvania (GET-UP) has announced an indefinite strike deadline of February 17 if contract negotiations remain stalled. With over 3,700 graduate student workers involved, key issues include wages, healthcare, and support for international workers. This move follows a year of contentious talks and comes after the union authorized a strike. University officials assert they are making progress in negotiations and are preparing for potential disruptions to classes and research.
Philadelphia
Penn Graduate Student Union Sets February 17 Strike Deadline Amid Stalled Negotiations
The Graduate Employees Together — University of Pennsylvania (GET-UP), the union representing graduate student workers, has announced an indefinite strike deadline of February 17. This means that more than 3,700 graduate student workers at the University of Pennsylvania are prepared to cease all teaching and research duties if a comprehensive contract agreement is not reached with the University by the specified date. The union indicates that this action will proceed unless the University’s contract proposals significantly improve within the coming weeks.
Key Issues Driving Union Demands
This strike threat follows more than a year of ongoing and often contentious contract negotiations between GET-UP and University administrators. Core areas of disagreement, or “sticking points,” primarily revolve around wages, comprehensive healthcare coverage, and enhanced support for international student workers. The union’s proposed contract aims to secure provisions for improved pay, expanded benefits, and robust support mechanisms for its international members.
Specifically, GET-UP is advocating for a minimum wage of $37 per hour for hourly employees and an annual stipend of $55,500 for those on stipends, effective upon the ratification of a contract. This contrasts with the University’s most recent offer of $19 per hour for hourly employees and a minimum annual stipend of $44,000, set to begin in July 2026.
International student workers, who constitute approximately one-third of the bargaining unit, are seeking crucial protections, including reimbursement of up to $3,000 for immigration-related expenses. Furthermore, the union demands that immigration enforcement agents be barred from entering non-public areas of campus unless legally mandated, and that the union be notified if access for a search or arrest warrant is granted.
Antidiscrimination protections have also been a significant point of contention throughout negotiations. While the union reached a tentative agreement on an article concerning anti-discrimination and harassment in October 2025, there were earlier instances in March 2025 where Penn had removed provisions against discrimination and harassment from contract proposals during negotiations. The University has expressed its belief that a fair contract agreeable to both parties can be achieved without resorting to a work stoppage.
Strike Authorization and Potential Campus Impact
The announcement of the strike deadline comes after GET-UP members overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike on November 21, 2025. This authorization grants the union’s bargaining committee the authority to initiate a strike at any point. Should the union proceed with a strike, over 3,700 graduate student workers would cease their work responsibilities, including grading assignments, conducting recitations and office hours, and leading review sessions. Graduate workers holding research appointments would also be expected to suspend new experiments and refrain from attending lab meetings for the duration of the strike.
In anticipation of a potential work stoppage, the University’s Office of the Provost previously issued guidance advising students that they are expected to attend classes even if it necessitates crossing picket lines. Additionally, students who prefer not to cross picket lines were encouraged to discuss the implications of such a decision with their individual faculty members in advance. The University has indicated that it is preparing faculty and staff to address and cover any educational and research gaps that may arise if a strike were to occur.
Negotiation History and University Position
Contract negotiations between GET-UP and the University of Pennsylvania commenced in October 2024. GET-UP, which is affiliated with the United Auto Workers (UAW), represents approximately 3,400 to 3,700 student workers who voted to unionize in May 2024. The University maintains that it has engaged in good faith negotiations, reporting the completion of 39 bargaining sessions and the achievement of 23 tentative agreements as of December 2025. These tentative agreements reportedly include an anti-discrimination and harassment provision, a grievance and arbitration process for graduate worker disputes, provisions regarding graduate worker appointments, participation in the University’s Supplemental Retirement Annuity (SRA), and vacation time. The University has also put forward a proposal to provide vision and dental insurance for Ph.D. students.
Despite these agreements, significant disagreements persist, particularly concerning management and academic rights. The University seeks to affirm its continuing authority to determine and administer academic programs and standards. Another point of contention is union dues, which the University believes graduate students should have the option to choose whether or not to financially support.
Broader Context of Graduate Student Unionization
The current unionization efforts at Penn are the culmination of organizing attempts spanning over two decades. This move is also part of a wider national trend of increased labor actions and unionization efforts on university campuses across the country. Notable examples in recent years include a 42-day strike by Temple University graduate workers in 2023 and a one-week walkout by Rutgers University educators, researchers, and clinicians in the same year. Additionally, resident assistants at several Pennsylvania institutions, including Penn, Temple, Drexel, and Swarthmore, have successfully unionized since 2023. Graduate student workers at Pennsylvania State University have also recently voted to form a union.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Penn graduate student union strike deadline?
The Penn graduate student union, Graduate Employees Together — University of Pennsylvania (GET-UP), has announced an indefinite strike deadline of February 17.
Who is Graduate Employees Together — University of Pennsylvania (GET-UP)?
GET-UP is the graduate student union at the University of Pennsylvania, representing over 3,700 graduate student workers, including teaching and research assistants. It is affiliated with the United Auto Workers (UAW).
What are the main issues in the contract negotiations?
Key issues in the negotiations include wages, healthcare coverage, and support for international student workers. Disagreements also persist over management and academic rights and union dues.
What would happen if the union goes on strike?
If the union goes on strike, more than 3,700 graduate student workers would cease responsibilities such as grading assignments, hosting recitations and office hours, and leading review sessions. Graduate workers with research appointments would also suspend new experiments and refrain from lab meetings.
Key Features of Penn Graduate Student Union Negotiations and Potential Strike
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Union Name | Graduate Employees Together — University of Pennsylvania (GET-UP), affiliated with UAW | University-level (GET-UP), Nationwide (UAW) |
| Strike Deadline | February 17 | University-level |
| Number of Workers Potentially Striking | Over 3,700 graduate student workers | University-level |
| Key Demands | Improved pay, better benefits, support for international workers, antidiscrimination protections | University-level |
| Bargaining Start Date | October 2024 | University-level |
| Strike Authorization Vote | November 21, 2025 (92% in favor) | University-level |
| University’s Stance | Bargaining in good faith, preparing for potential work stoppage | University-level |
| Impact of Strike | Disruption to teaching, research, grading, office hours | University-level |
| Broader Context | Part of a nationwide trend of graduate student unionization | Nationwide |
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