HJ vnp-outline

The University of Pittsburgh has filed exceptions to the hearing examiner’s proposed decision and maintains that the institution acted appropriately leading up to and throughout the April 2024 election, when a majority of graduate students voted against representation by the United Steelworkers.

The hearing examiner ruled that nine of the 12 allegations filed by the Steelworkers did not have merit. Of the remaining three allegations: Two counts were related to factual statements made on the University’s website that are similar in nature to other statements found by the hearing examiner to be appropriate. The third count pertains to an email sent to a small number of eligible voters. In this email, a department chair encourages students to vote—and does not pick a side—while also linking to information from both the Steelworkers and the University.

All of the communications in question are accurate, appropriate, and factual. The University looks forward to a closer review—with full context considered—of these three counts in question.