By SUSAN JONES
The Office of Human Resources is searching for the right person to fill a new position — assistant vice chancellor for employee and labor relations.
A spokesman for the University said this will be “a new leadership position within the Office of Human Resources, one which elevates this vital function, recognizing our need for a more robust structure to support our bargaining units.”
Pitt currently negotiates 10 collective bargaining agreements that cover around 800 staff members, along with the Union of Pitt Faculty, whose bargaining unit covers more than 3,000 faculty.
A fledgling staff union, which could potentially represent more than 6,000 Pitt employees on all campuses, filed with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board last year to hold an election to be represented by the United Steelworkers. The PLRB has yet to issue a ruling, but organizers are hopeful that an election could happen in May or June.
Graduate student workers filed in February with the PLRB for an election to form a union with the United Steelworkers and also are awaiting a ruling.
Pitt hired Yvonne Powers, a licensed attorney, as director of employee and labor relations in 2021 to oversee a staff of eight. Powers has since left Pitt.
The University said the new assistant vice chancellor role “will not only lead our relationships with all of our labor unions, but also help to develop employee relations policies that promote employee engagement and provide guidance to University leaders in creating positive and inclusive working environments.”
The job posting on Pitt’s Talent Center website says: “This position provides guidance to the University leaders in creating positive and inclusive working environments. Ensures fair and equitable enforcement of employee relations related issues, which may include employee discipline, grievances, conflict resolution, and work life balance.”
Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.
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