What has happened so far, and what is the process moving forward?

On December 9th, 2025, we turned in thousands of union authorization cards to the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board’s office in Harrisburg, along with a petition to hold a union election for Penn State faculty. We will now engage with the administration and the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to determine who will be eligible to vote in our union election, how the election will be administered, and when it will occur.

Faculty organizers with union lawyers supporting us will begin discussions with the Penn State University administration and the PLRB. We hope that PSU administrators will do the right thing and agree to a fair and speedy election to form our union. That said, we know that it is common for University administrators to attempt to slow this process down with unnecessary and costly stall tactics.

If we are unable to agree on the criteria for voter eligibility, the mode of election, or the election timing with our administration, the PLRB may hold hearings to gather evidence on the issues and then issue a ruling after that hearing to clarify the unit definition, mode of election, and the timing of the election. Ultimately, though, it is we, Penn State faculty, who will decide to form our union through a secret ballot election.

When will we have our vote?

We are seeking a free and fair election as soon as possible. We are hopeful that our administration will stay neutral and refrain from using stall tactics to delay our right to vote.

Who will be eligible to vote?

We have petitioned to represent all faculty at the University Park campus, in the University Libraries, and at the Commonwealth Campuses. We did not petition to represent the College of Medicine, but we would support these faculty in organizing their own union in the future.

Will the administration see our union authorization cards?

No. Only agents of the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board will see our union authorization cards.