HARRISBURG, PA – April 21, 2026 − State Senator John I. Kane (D–Delaware/Chester) announced that he has joined his Senate Democratic colleagues in calling on Penn State University leadership to respect the will of its graduate assistants and move forward with good faith negotiations following their overwhelming vote to unionize.
In a joint letter sent to Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi, Board Chair David Kleppinger, and members of the Board of Trustees, Senator Kane and his colleagues urged the university to cease ongoing legal challenges and recognize the inclusion of research assistants in collective bargaining.
“Graduate assistants at Penn State made their voices heard loud and clear through a fair and transparent process, voting overwhelmingly to form a union,” said Senator Kane. “As someone who has always stood with organized labor, I am calling on Penn State to do what’s right; respect that decision and come to the table to negotiate a fair contract in good faith.”
The unionization effort, overseen by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, resulted in a decisive 90 percent vote in favor of union representation. The newly formed union, the Coalition of Graduate Employees at Penn State-UAW, reflects a growing movement of graduate workers organizing for fair pay, better working conditions, and a stronger voice in the workplace.
“Penn State has an opportunity here to lead,” Kane said. “Holding up their end of negotiations is the right thing to do for workers, for students, and for the standard of our Commonwealth. I’ve always been pro-union, and I always will be. When workers stand up and organize, they deserve respect, not resistance.”
Senators Joining Senator Kane on the Letter Include:
Lisa M. Boscola (D-8), Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17), Maria Collett (D-12), Carolyn T. Comitta (D-19), Marty Flynn (D-22), Wayne D. Fontana (D-42), Art Haywood (D-4), Vincent J. Hughes (D-7), Timothy P. Kearney (D-26), James Andrew Malone (D-36), Nick Miller (D-14), Katie J. Muth (D-44), Nick Pisciottano (D-45), Steven J. Santarsiero (D-10), Nikil Saval (D-1), Judith L. Schwank (D-11), Sharif Street (D-3), Christine M. Tartaglione (D-2), and Lindsey M. Williams (D-38).
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