Penn Postdoctoral Scholars Vote Overwhelmingly to Form Union RAPUP-UAW

University of Pennsylvania Postdoctoral Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Unionize

Philadelphia – A significant majority of Postdoctoral Scholars and Research Associates at the University of Pennsylvania have voted to establish a union named RAPUP-UAW. According to the National Labor Relations Board, the final vote count was 703 in favor and 38 against, amounting to a 95% approval.

Emily Perkins, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychology, expressed enthusiasm about the union's formation, stating, “We are thrilled with tonight’s results, and ready to work with the university towards a more democratic workplace. We love our jobs, but the increasing threats to international scholars coupled with inadequate compensation made a union the obvious choice. We’re ready to speak in one voice for fair pay, better job security, and a more equitable university.”

The newly unionized postdocs and research associates play a crucial role at Penn, contributing significantly to the university's research output, which secures extensive funding annually. Despite their pivotal role, these scholars often face financial challenges, lack of job security, and insufficient protections against workplace issues.

Particularly affected are international workers, who sometimes encounter pressures such as unpaid overtime, unfriendly work conditions, and abrupt job terminations without recourse.

Ray Jensen Jr., Assistant Director of UAW Region 9, highlighted the importance of this development: “Penn Postdocs and Research Associates deserve benefits and protections that reflect their role as highly skilled academic workers and scientific collaborators. The vote results send a strong signal to Penn’s administration: it’s time to sit down at the bargaining table and negotiate the improvements and protections these workers deserve. The UAW looks forward to supporting them as they bargain their first contract.”

This successful vote aligns Penn's postdoctoral community with over 120,000 academic workers represented by the UAW across the United States. The move is part of a broader trend of unionization seen at other academic institutions such as Johns Hopkins, the National Institutes of Health, Princeton University, and several others, reflecting a growing movement across academic fields nationwide.