As the Penn graduate student union’s strike deadline approaches, a dozen Pennsylvania state representatives signed a letter urging administrators to reach a fair contract.
The Feb. 6 letter called on Penn President Larry Jameson and Provost John Jackson Jr. to come to an agreement with Graduate Employees Together — University of Pennsylvania before the Feb. 17 strike deadline. The signatories argued Penn — as the city’s largest private employer — has an “obligation” to treat its workers “with dignity” and warned a strike would affect “tens of thousands” of people across campus.
“Penn has put forth a generous, comprehensive proposal in response to the Union’s demands,” a University spokesperson wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian. “We believe that an agreement can be reached that will support our graduate students and Penn’s ongoing academic mission.”
The spokesperson added, “In the event of a work stoppage, classes, research, and other academic activities will continue.”
“We strongly urge you to reach a fair contract agreement with GETUP-UAW,” the delegation wrote, emphasizing Penn's "responsibility to the people of Philadelphia."
Twelve state representatives representing Philadelphia — Morgan Cephas (D-192), Joanna McClinton (D-191), Rick Krajewski (D-188), Danilo Burgos (D-197), Jason Dawkins (D-179), Elizabeth Fiedler (D-184), Pat Gallagher (D-173), Joseph Hohenstein (D-177), Tarik Khan (D-194), Darisha Parker (D-198), Christopher Rabb (D-200), and Ben Waxman (D-182) — signed the letter last week.
The politicians also described the ramifications of failing to reach an agreement, outlining how a strike would “seriously disrupt life” for “students, employees, and patients at Penn.”
In a statement to the DP, McClinton wrote she was “proud to sign the Philadelphia delegation’s letter supporting Penn’s graduate student employees,” and is “hopeful that the parties can come to an agreement before February 17.”
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Krajewski — a 2013 Engineering graduate — described the delegation’s support as reflective of a broader labor movement in the city.
“This letter is about reminding Penn that Philly is a union town,” Krajewski, who represents Penn’s district, wrote to the DP. “Our elected officials, across every corner of the city, stand firmly behind GETUP-UAW and all workers fighting for what they’re worth.”
Krajewski added, “No one wants a strike and I’d be happy to see Penn agree to a fair contract. But if that doesn’t happen by February 17th, I’m ready to join graduate workers at the picket line.”
Hohenstein said the delegation hopes the message pressures Penn’s administration to negotiate toward an agreement that fairly compensates graduate workers.
He added he wants to “make sure that people who are the graduate assistants and others covered by the union are appropriately paid,” and he and his colleagues “stand with them as they organize themselves and work to get what is fair for them and their work.”
The University’s faculty guidance webpage — last updated on Feb. 10 — stated Penn has bargained in “good faith” with GET-UP since October 2025, “completing 43 bargaining sessions and reaching 24 tentative agreements.”
According to the webpage, remaining contract disputes include provisions on stipends, union dues, medical and dependent support, and international graduate worker assistance.
The Feb. 17 strike deadline, announced in January by GET-UP, is the most drastic effort taken by the union since contract negotiations began in October 2024.
According to GET-UP’s website, a strike would mean graduate workers holding teaching and research positions would suspend their work responsibilities — including grading, leading recitations, and holding office hours.
Graduate workers with research appointments would also refrain from starting new experiments and attending lab meetings for the duration of the strike.
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Senior reporter Ananya Karthik covers central administration and can be reached at karthik@thedp.com. At Penn, she studies communication and economics. Follow her on X @ananyaakarthik.
