No Penn Union(NPU) 3/16/2017

Who We Are/How We Started We initially heard about GET-UP 1 ½ weeks ago Tried to get more information about GET-UP Union reps wouldn’t allow us into their general meeting. The reps wouldn’t give us straight answers either (who would the union represent, costs, etc) Heard about union reps harassing friends/students. Decided enough was enough We are completely independent (no funding, we pay for everything)

Why Did We Start NPU? Lack of information about the effects of unionization GET-UP’s website is vague Members skirt around questions GET-UP spreads misinformation “The union won’t cost anything”, etc The reps wouldn’t give us straight answers either (who would the union represent, costs, etc) We believe GET-UP would severely impact our academics and our life at Penn

(VP of Outreach and Media) NPU Structure Ian Henrich (President) Laura Byrant (VP of Events) (VP of Outreach and Media) Kayla Barekat (BGS Officer) (SEAS Officer) (SAS Officer) (SSPP Officer) (GSE Officer) (Wharton Officer)

NPU Organization President – Ian Henrich VP of Outreach and Media Responsible for large scale strategy and organization Runs and updates Facebook group and website Responsible for any panels, speaking events, etc that NPU is invited to VP of Outreach and Media Focuses on informing other graduate students about unionization Main job is to spread support among Penn’s graduate schools Coordinates with each school’s Officer to tailor strategy Responsible for flyers and other printed media VP of Events Schedules events about our efforts (info panels, speaking to student governments, etc) Will fill in for the President during events if conflicts arise

How Unionization Works General points about unionization Unions collectively represent the employment concerns of the bargaining body (anyone who the union decides it wants to represent) No opting out. If you don’t want to be part of the GET-UP, you can’t decline their representation Only GET-UP would be able to negotiate for you. They will decide your stipend, healthcare, etc You will be required to pay union dues (up to $700 per year) To vote in union elections/contract approval, GET-UP might require you to pay even more (agency fee). Three key stages Stage 1: Obtain authorization cards from 30% of the bargaining body and send them to the NLRB Stage 2: Hold election with bargaining body Stage 3: If won, start negotiations with Penn

How Unionization Works: Stage 1 The first step is to collect authorization cards from 30% of the bargaining body (GET-UP is currently at this stage) These cards are legally binding and transfer negotiating power from you to GET-UP Not membership cards GET-UP has not defined the bargaining body yet (could be just PhD’s but also Master’s students and even undergraduates) You can revoke your authorization card! Union reps have been harassing students in order to get them to sign authorization cards THIS IS NOT LEGAL! The union can not pressure/intimidate/harass you into signing a card If you say no and the union continues to bother you, contact us (and call building security)

How Unionization Works: Stage 2/3 Once GET-UP obtains cards from 30% of the bargaining group, they work with the NLRB to start an election Typically starts 21 days after the NLRB verifies GET-UP’s authorization cards Only members of the bargaining body can vote. Simple majority wins If GET-UP wins, Penn will enter negotiations with the union GET-UP will elect a select group on students to a negotiating committee This committee will be the sole representative of the bargaining group Negotiating can take months to even years Once agreed upon, the committee brings the contract to GET-UP for approval

Why We Oppose Unionization The Academic Burden GET-UP is currently going into labs looking for support. They would not stop after unionization (contract issues, strike, etc) If there is a strike, the union could protest outside your lab or classroom, preventing you from making progress on your degree The Financial Burden Unionization could cost up to $700 per year (maybe more to even vote) Money would leave Penn and go to two outside unions (AFT and AFL-CIO) The Bureaucratic Burden GET-UP wants to limit our student governments for their “democractic” alternative All administrative issues would be funneled through the union A few dominate individuals will control the union’s direction AFT and AFL-CIO could interfere with GET-UP elections (see UAW and NYU) The Political Burden Your union dues would be spent on political causes that you not have a voice in AFT and AFL-CIO donate tens of millions every year to political groups and lobbies

Strategy 1. Maintain transparency/independence GET-UP is notoriously secretive GET-UP is also funded by outside unions (AFT/AFL-CIO) We can win on openness and clarity (cited sources, meeting notes, etc) 2. Counter authorization card drives Everyday GET-UP publishes where they are We can stand near them and provide factual information about unionization Provide de-authorization cards 3. Present at student government meeting Student governments provide a great way to get the word out GET-UP has been presenting at these, we need to counteract

Goals for March 1. Get the word out! GET-UP has a 9 month head start on us Reach out to prominent members of SAS and SEAS (largest schools out there) Put up posters, flyers, etc (see handouts/downloads) 2. Become centralized resource for concerned students Make sure there aren’t any other anti-GET-UP organizations (don’t duplicate effort) Merge/coordinate meetings and activism 3. Continue to recruit members for NPU We will need a large pool of volunteers to counter GET-UP Find people to reach out to other schools Flyers, meetings, counter-acting GET-UP’s authorization card will take significant effort