On Thursday, the results from members’ vote on Health and Safety Conditions were finalized. 92% of those who voted supported the Conditions. Thanks to everyone who stood up and voted.
Shortly after, TAUP members and leaders met on Zoom with representatives from local media to discuss concerns with the University’s plan to return to campus in the fall.
TAUP President Steve Newman noted how serious the potential dangers are:
“The CUNY system [City University of New York] lost 38 people in the spring. That should give us all pause. Lives and health have to be preserved first.”
Associate Professor of Nursing Susan Dickey told Philadelphia Tribune:
“I believe that many of the decision makers have never met a ventilator. I’ve seen a lot of very sick patients. For many years, I worked in a critical care unit. I’ve seen a lot of sick people as a nurse and this one [virus] is terrifying, even to me.”
“I believe that many of the decision makers have never met a ventilator. I’ve seen a lot of very sick patients. For many years, I worked in a critical care unit. I’ve seen a lot of sick people as a nurse and this one [virus] is terrifying, even to me.”
Librarian and TAUP Vice President Leanne Finnigan pointed out gaps in the oversight of compliance:
“Administrators have told us that Allied Universal security guards will enforce facial covering compliance only when patrons enter the building. They’ve given no guidance about how to handle compliance once people are inside. This is insufficient. It’s dangerous.”
She also discussed childcare now that the Philadelphia School District will be conducting online classes until at least November, stating:
“We’re in a bind and we can’t do it all. We can’t do it all. I’ve heard from a number of single parents in particular who are extremely stressed because they don’t have the luxury of being able to tag team child care or elder care.
“We’re in a bind and we can’t do it all. We can’t do it all. I’ve heard from a number of single parents in particular who are extremely stressed because they don’t have the luxury of being able to tag team child care or elder care.
CLA adjunct Carol Gallo noted that adjuncts who turn down courses offered to them lose their eligibility for Unemployment Benefits:
“The way things are set up, it’s incentivizing them to teach in person when they may not feel safe.”
In addition, she shared that the administration would not commit to keeping an adjunct on payroll if they were to get sick mid semester, a policy that could induce unsafe decisions and encourage people to teach in-person while sick.
TAUP staffer and adjunct Jennie Shanker asked Philadelphia Magazine:
“How come they can’t give us a piece of plexiglas? How come they’re only offering face shields, which the CDC says is not adequate? How come they’re letting students come into the classroom with any kind of face covering, no matter how inadequate?
TAUP Staff Organizer Jenna Siegel told the Philadelphia Inquirer:
“They’re asking us to take risks when COVID cases are rising. We want to work. But one unnecessary fatality is just too many.”
NBC10 Report:
NBC10 Report:
PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE reports:
WHYY reports:
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER reports:
Next steps:
- Keep us in the loop if you have requested an accommodation and have been turned down.
- Reach out to TAUP organizer Jenna Siegel jsiegelaft@gmail.com and become involved in the campaign to increase pressure on the university.
- Report concerns you have about return plans in your college/school, department, or for your class to taupaft@gmail.com. Please make sure to check your schedule so that you know whether you’ve been assigned to teach entirely online, in-person, or a hybrid. Members have reported some unwelcome surprises.
And as always, read upcoming e-bulletins for information and actions you can take.