Penn graduate student workers reach tentative agreement, preventing potential strike.

Graduate student workers at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully negotiated a tentative agreement for their first union contract, effectively averting a planned strike. The agreement, which spans two years, includes significant wage increases and additional benefits for the approximately 3,400 members represented by the Graduate Employees Together-University of Pennsylvania (GET-UP), affiliated with the United Auto Workers (UAW).

The bargaining process commenced in October 2024, following the union’s formation in the previous year. During negotiations, key issues including wages, healthcare, and assistance for SEPTA transit fares were identified as sticking points. Union members had previously authorized a strike should an agreement not be reached by a January deadline. The final bargaining session, held on Monday, proved pivotal, culminating in an announcement of the tentative agreement early Tuesday morning.

The terms of the proposed contract, if ratified, would establish a minimum annual salary of ,000 for graduate student workers, reflecting a 22% increase from prior levels. For hourly workers, the minimum wage would rise to , effective in April, with an additional 3% increase planned for July 2027. Furthermore, the university has committed to allocating 0,000 annually to reimburse graduate student workers for up to 50% of their dependents’ health insurance premiums.

The arrangement also extends to benefits surrounding medical and parental leave, with provisions for six weeks of paid medical leave and eight weeks of paid parental leave. Additionally, a dedicated fund of ,000 will be established to support international graduate student workers facing costs associated with visa reinstatement or extension.

In the lead-up to the agreement, numerous Pennsylvania state senators and Philadelphia City Council members had urged the university administration to resolve the negotiations amicably to prevent the disruption a strike would cause to the wider Penn community. While the union’s victory marks a significant milestone in student labor organizing, many workers remain engaged with various forms of activism, as evidenced by past strikes at other local institutions.

The outcome of this tentative agreement will be subject to ratification by union members, with a vote date yet to be scheduled. The progress made highlights a growing movement within higher education that emphasizes the importance of fair compensation and comprehensive benefits for graduate student employees, fostering a more supportive academic environment.