OUR HEALTH
INSURANCE

On August 15, the University opened enrollment for health insurance for AY 2023-24. Many grad workers decided to enroll in coverage, believing our benefits were the same as the previous year (and as they have been since at least 2017). We were surprised to learn that our insurance benefits had been drastically reduced. 
 
It wasn’t until August 17 when Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, Amanda Godley, announced (only to grad workers with appointments) that the University was transitioning us to a new health insurance plan. This plan increases patient financial responsibility by 400-600%.
 
Vice Provost Godley’s email announced a stipend raise for students with appointments which does not offset the rise in cost of living, let alone these increased medical costs.

Pitt emphasizes its health insurance benefits as a recruiting point for grad workers. We were promised more than we will receive. These increases have already disproportionately affected women, students who are chronically ill and disabled, international students, queer and transgender students, and graduate students with dependents.

Pitt’s unionized workers, including the faculty who recently organized with the USW, have NOT had these healthcare costs shifted onto them with no notice. The union faculty keep the same plan they had. That’s the difference a union makes: employers can’t make changes to pay or benefits without negotiating. That’s a difference we need now.
 
With a graduate workers’ union, we too will be able to have a seat at the table in decisions that impact all of us and be able to hold the administration accountable to an enforceable union contract.
 
Contact us today to sign your union card and get involved. It’s going to take all of us to win.