PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Hundreds of Temple University graduate students and supporters gathered Thursday to speak out against what they say is retaliation from administrators due to their strike for a fair contract.
Some students say the university has revoked essential benefits like health insurance and tuition aid.
Yusuf Qwareeq, an international Computer and Information Sciences Ph.D. student and teaching assistant at Temple, said that when he went to fill a vital prescription he needs for a chronic illness, he was in for a surprise.
“I received a message from Rite Aid saying that my prescription was ready to be picked up. But when I got there, I was told that my health insurance was no longer valid. Temple had caught my health insurance plan without any notice,” he said.
“The university, fully aware of my medical needs, has mercilessly terminated my health insurance, leading me to suffer in this dire and unacceptable predicament. It is a devastating blow that has torn me apart piece by piece.”
Qwareeq is one of the dozens of members of the Temple University Graduate Students Association that went on strike last week for the first time in the union's history. They say that for more than a year, they’ve made little headway in reaching a contract agreement with administrators for “a living wage, affordable dependent care, better leave policies, and improved working conditions.”
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The union fight has garnered local and national support as some students on strike shared an email they received from the university, stating they have until March 9 to pay their spring tuition in full.
“Stop these disgusting strike-breaking tactics,” said Philadelphia AFL-CIO President Danny Bauder.
“It's counterproductive and it's wrong,” said Scott Heppard, chief of staff for Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Philadelphia.
“I implore you to restore all benefits to affected TUGSA members with immediate effect because it's simply the right thing to do.”
The following is a full statement from Temple University:
Temple University values all the contributions its employees make to the community. We recognize that the university can only fulfill its mission with everyone doing their part. At the same time, the university cannot make concessions that would be economically unreasonable. On the contrary, Temple has settled contracts with two bargaining units in the past six months representing thousands of workers without controversy and through communication and engagement with those bargaining units.
Temple University continues to hope for a resolution to current negotiations with the part-time workers represented by Temple University Graduate Students’ Association (TUGSA) and has attended every bargaining session prepared to bargain in good faith for over a year. Temple came to negotiations with only one proposal: to increase wages. Temple has asked for no concessions. In the year since negotiations started, we’ve made salary proposals aligned with those accepted by other unions and with increases for full-time employees and we offered increased leave in response to the union’s proposals. However, a year after their contract expired, TUGSA is still seeking 50% increases and free healthcare for all dependents.
We know there is concern that TUGSA members who are not performing their duties have lost their benefits. However, it is important to remember that in accordance with Pennsylvania law, those TUGSA members who have chosen not to work and are on strike are no longer entitled to compensation and work-related benefits, including tuition remission. Without those benefits, they will be treated the same as every other enrolled student. Please note that only 120 people have elected to stop working, and around 550 TUGSA members continue to work and receive full pay, health benefits and tuition remission, which are part of their compensation packages. It is also important to note that TUGSA members received two written notices that failure to show up to work would result in the loss of their full compensation package.
TUGSA members who want to return to work and get their benefits restored can do so immediately. They should contact their school/college to confirm their return to work and restore their benefits. Returning to work does not mean individuals cannot picket or voice their concerns. It just means they must work to earn compensation and benefits, like anyone else. Unfortunately, TUGSA has not given its members a chance to vote on the university’s offer even though a significant majority of their members are rejecting the strike and choosing to report to work.
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