Between COVID, midterms, and the election, we know that this is a stressful time for many, and we hope that you are taking care of yourself.

While we hesitate to ask more of you at this time, as PSUFA enters the economic phase of bargaining we need your help to put pressure on our administration to make financial decisions guided by PSU’s values.

We have recently learned that PSU is considering not only offering us no pay raises, but taking away our cost of living adjustments and potentially limiting our access to our existing benefit funds, which many of you have accessed for healthcare, education, and professional advancement. It is unacceptable that our university, which claims to value equity and inclusion, would move towards even more exploitative working conditions for its most vulnerable employees.

We are asking all members to add your name to this open letter TODAY calling on President Percy & the Board of Trustees to reprioritize the core mission of the University in upcoming financial decisions.

Written jointly by members of PSUFA and PSU-AAUP (the full-time faculty union), the letter outlines the need for real and critical conversations about shifting budgetary priorities towards economic equity for the people who carry out the core mission of our University—educators, researchers, and academic professionals.

For a breakdown of the economics, check out AAUP’s writeup here (“What is the deal with PSU’s budget?”).

Please sign the letter now to show your support for fair pay and equitable working conditions. Also consider joining us if you can for economic bargaining Sunday, November 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.