Month: November 2018

Resisting Hatred at Independence Hall This Saturday

e-Bulletin20181116:

There are many ways to celebrate Thanksgiving, among them hosting family and friends  or traveling to see them, working to feed those who are homeless and hungry. Another way is to defend the values we hold dear. To that end, we want to alert you to a disturbing rally being held this Saturday and a counter-protest members of TAUP are participating in. The rally is being held at Independence Mall on Saturday at 11:00, and the Proud Boys, among other racist and violent groups, have indicated they will attend. To quote from the eloquent statement by the Philadelphia AFL-CIO:

[W]hile the organizers of this rally have stated publicly that they oppose violence at this event, they have not denounced the politics that the Proud Boys represent – racism, hatred, and antisemitism.

The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO believes firmly in free speech and in the guarantee to freedom of speech in the First Amendment. Members of our unions come from every background and support a very wide variety of political views. Our Council has endorsed politicians from both major parties, and we expect to do so in the future.

But the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO stands absolutely opposed to the kind of racist and anti-semitic hatred represented by the Proud Boys. As we declared in December of 2017 in a resolution that was passed unanimously by our Executive Board and our Delegates – representing over 100 unions in our region – in the wake of the anti-semitic vandalism in South Philly and in Jewish cemeteries in our area: “The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO stands ready today to join with like-minded people from all backgrounds who are disgusted by rising bigotry and intolerance, standing together in solidarity at this critical moment, regardless of race, religion, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ethnic background.”

TAUP members and leaders will be attending the counter-protest, which begins at 10:30 a.m. at 599 Market Street.  If you are interested in joining us, please email Steve Newman at stevenewman1970@gmail.com.  Those from TAUP are pledged to non-violent resistance.


As we head into Thanksgiving, TAUP wants to wish all its members a joyful and restful holiday and to thank you for being a member of TAUP!

P. S. Over the break, please fill out the Bargaining Survey if you haven’t already.  You should have received a link at the email address we normally use to communicate with you.  If you haven’t (check your spam folder!), please contact TAUP at taupaft@gmail.com.

 

Final Days: Please Respond to the Adjunct Office Space Survey

e-Bulletin 20181107:

TAUP has been meeting with members of the administration in a Labor-Management Committee dedicated to understanding adjunct office needs.  Together, we’ve developed a survey that will give us a sense of the conditions that adjuncts work under at different schools.

Responding to the survey is critical in helping us understand where to focus as we look toward improving the working conditions of all adjunct faculty.

Though many have already responded to the survey, we would like to hear from everyone. If you haven’t had a moment to respond yet, please consider doing so now. The last day to submit the survey will be on Saturday (November 10th).

You can securely access the survey by logging in to TUportal. You can access the survey on the section of your portal page entitled “Next Steps”.

We have been assured that the TUportal does not affect the anonymity of the survey. Your responses will not be linked to any personally identifiable information.

Please note:

If you teach in multiple departments, please focus your responses in your primary department. If you don’t have a primary department, you can use the department where you have taught or worked the most often.

Your participation is crucial in helping us to understand where needs have been met, and where attention needs to be focused to improve adjunct working conditions.

Thank you in advance for your participation in this important process.

Seeking Holiday Meal Hosts for Students

eBulletin 20181105:

Every Thanksgiving, faculty and staff at Temple have opened their homes to international students who are interested in celebrating the holiday as guests of a family. This year, TAUP is teaming up with Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab to find families to host students who are food-insecure.

Surveys have shown that just over 1 in 3 students attending Temple are food-insecure, and a growing number have been utilizing the Cherry Pantry. The Cherry Pantry, in the Howard Gittis Student Center, makes grocery items and personal hygiene products available to students in need. But holidays are a special time, where students may be both away from their families and food insecure.

If you would be willing to welcome a guest at your Thanksgiving or other holiday meal, this year or next, please complete this form. You will be contacted if there is a possible guest for your table.