The Office of Human Resources has appointed Angel Pagan-Cordero as interim director of academic labor relations.

The appointment marks the University’s first step in creating a new team within Human Resources dedicated to administering union contracts for represented academic employees.

The Union of Pitt Faculty ratified its first contract with Pitt on May 10. Fledging staff and graduate student worker unions have both filed with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to have an election to also join the United Steelworkers.

“Creating a dedicated team of labor relations staff to serve the needs of our union-represented academic employees will ensure both the University’s and the workers’ rights are understood, protected and respected,” James Gallaher, vice chancellor for human relations, said in a statement.

As interim director, Pagan-Cordero will oversee several integral areas of academic labor relations, including leading and managing the faculty collective bargaining processes, overseeing the academic grievance process, ensuring legal and policy compliance specific to employment, and maintaining positive relations between the University and represented academics.

Pagan-Cordero will work closely with the Office of the Provost and the Office of University Counsel to implement such contracts.

He has been serving as an employee relations specialist with the University’s Employee Relations and Labor Relations Department since 2022, and has an extensive background as a labor and employment attorney as part of the Cancio, Nadal & Rivera LLC firm. He has represented clients in state and federal courts, including beforea the National Labor Relations Board, and has provided support to employers on key topics such as labor contracts and grievances. He also previously served as vice president for legal affairs and industrial relations for the Metropolitan Bus Authority in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The University also is currently conducting a search for a new assistant vice chancellor of employee and labor relations to oversee the development of a comprehensive and integrated employee and labor relations strategy for all 12 existing bargaining units, new unionization efforts, and all other non-union staff. This strategy will include ensuring fair and equitable enforcement of employee relations-related issues, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and fostering positive relationships between University administration and various labor groups, creating more positive and inclusive working environments.