Negotiations Update
We hope that you had a restful and productive Spring Break. TAUP members were hard at work last week preparing for the upcoming negotiations. We have been responding to administrative concerns about Open Bargaining while continuing to adhere to its fundamental principles of inclusion and transparency in the negotiation process for our members. As we move toward agreeing on procedure, we are continuing to sift through data and develop bargaining proposals. You can find out more about the state of negotiations and how you can get involved at the . . .
. . .TAUP Contract Campaign Kickoff Event 3/13!
With labor & political allies, food & drink, and TAUP swag
This will be the first full contract that will cover all of the faculty, alongside our librarians and academic professionals. Join us to build connection,strength and solidarity across campus as we launch our campaign for a strong contract that fully supports the fundamental educational mission of Temple University: teaching, research & learning..
Wednesday March 13th
4-6pm
Pub Webb – 1527 Cecil B Moore Ave
All dues paying TAUP Members are encouraged to attend, alongside any Temple Faculty, Librarians, and TAUP Academics Staff who are considering joining.
Be sure to RSVP here.
Organizing Conversation Trainings
Organizing does not stop during negotiations; it’s essential to our strength at the table. If you want to learn how to talk with your colleagues about the Union, we’ll be holding Organizing Conversation trainings on Friday March 15th from 12-2pm and Friday March 22nd from 12-2pm at the TAUP office, Ritter Annex 721. Please RSVP here.
The Struggle at Community College of Philadelphia
Our sister union at CCP has been working without a contract for three years. They recently authorized a strike vote, though they hope that a strike will not be necessary. They are fighting administrative proposals that would increase their workload, gut faculty governance, raise health-care costs, and refuse to pay their classified staff a living wage.
TAUP stands in solidarity with FSFCCP in this fight, and we invite you to join us in supporting them. Their next event is a hearing at City Councilthis Tuesday from 11:00-2:00 p.m. They will be advocating for the nearly $16 million in additional funding that CCP should be getting from the City. This is based on the accepted formula that municipalities should fund 1/3rd of a community college’s operating budget.
Know Your Contract: Grievances
If you believe that your rights under the contract have been violated, contact TAUP. Our staff will put you in touch with our grievance specialists, who can help determine whether a grievance should be filed. Remember that grievances have to be filed within 20 working days from the action being grieved for full-time members and 10 working days for adjuncts. If you have a concern about something you’re experiencing on the job, please don’t delay in contacting your Union!
Student Debt Clinic
TAUP remains committed to helping our members, many of whom are saddled with significant student loans, alongside Temple students and alumni. Student debt–now at $1.5 trillion– has a long-term negative effect on borrowers and on the economy as a whole, discouraging individuals from making substantial purchases and starting businesses.
For our students, it increases their stress while in school, forcing them to make decisions about what classes to take, what major to pursue, what apartment to rent and what food to buy. Too many students are pressured to drop out of school, or never to attend in the first place. It has had a significant influence on universities–including Temple–as a place to study and as a place to work.
We are partnering with our citywide AFT local, the United Academics of Philadelphia, in offering a free Student Debt Clinic. The clinic is open to everyone in our bargaining unit.
March 21st from 7-9 p.m
United Academics of Philadelphia
601 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Please be sure to RSVP here.