Resolution 000687

..Title Calling on Temple University to recognize the Temple University Graduate Students' Association/American Federation of Teachers as the collective bargaining representative for its teaching assistants, graduate assistants, and research assistants and to bargain in good faith with that union. ..Body WHEREAS, Over three years ago Temple University's 1100 graduate employees joined together to form a union and demanded that the University recognize and bargain in good faith with their union; and WHEREAS, For the third consecutive year a majority of Temple's graduate employees have signed cards in support of unionizing; and WHEREAS, In spite of the strong majority support the University has refused to enter into negotiations or schedule an election, and has instead spent scarce resources, which include public funds as well as tuition, opposing the right of graduate student employees to unionize; and WHEREAS, Within the last three years, the number of graduate employee unions nationwide has grown from 12 to 22, due to the exploitative practices of colleges and universities, who demand that graduate students provide vital teaching services for grossly inadequate compensation; and WHEREAS, Temple's graduate student employees provide thousands of hours of labor in the form of teaching, research, staffing of labs and offices, grading, and meeting with students. Moreover, Temple graduate student employees are the sole teachers for more than ten percent of classes and teach over half of the contact hours for the core undergraduate curriculum; and WHEREAS, Temple University's administration recognizes and bargains in good faith with all other unions at the University; and WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board recently ruled that Temple University's graduate students qualify as university employees and therefore have the right to unionize; and WHEREAS, In light of Temple's receipt of millions of dollars of public funds and tax exemptions, it is important that Temple fulfill the public policy embedded in state law to bargain in good faith with the designated representatives of all of its employees; and RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby calls on Temple University to recognize the Temple University Graduate Students Association/American Federation of Teachers as the collective bargaining representative for its teaching assistants, graduate assistants, and research assistants and to bargain in good faith with that union; and FURTHER RESOLVED, That a true and correct copy of this resolution be sent to Temple University President David Adamany and all members of the Temple Board of Trustees as evidence of the grave concern of this legislative body. ..End