PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Temple University Graduate Students’ Association (TUGSA) has reached another tentative contract agreement with the school.
“The strength of our members … pushed Temple to finally engage with our core demands,” the union said.
Details haven’t been released yet, but the union said the agreement includes a “significant initial bump” in pay and annual raises.
TUGSA said it also won a partial subsidy for dependent health care and increases to paid parental and bereavement leave.
A Temple spokesperson said in a statement: “We are optimistic that the agreement will be accepted.”
Evan Kassof, who is on the TUGSA contract negotiation team, said he’s proud of the work union members have done at Temple. He hopes student-workers at other schools also fight for their rights.
“I think it means for graduate workers across the country that when you fight, you win. And if you’re strong and you’re organized and coherent in your messaging, you can beat a monster,” he said.
Voting is underway and is expected to last through the weekend. It’s not clear if it will pass. The union rejected a different contract agreement last month.
TUGSA members have been on strike since Jan. 31.
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