Temple University faculty union rallies as end of contract looms

Temple University could face another strike.

The contract for the Temple Association of University Professionals, a union representing thousands of professors, librarians and other academics, expires Sunday, Oct. 15.

Though university administrators expect negotiations to stretch beyond the deadline, TAUP members, supporters from other unions and elected officials gathered for a rally Tuesday afternoon at the college’s main campus in North Philadelphia.

“As a Temple alum, this fight is personal,” City Councilmember Kendra Brooks said. “I’m here because, once again, I’m outraged and disgusted by the greed and ruthlessness of my alma mater.”

“We will stand with you every step of the way,” she added. “And if you go on strike next week, we’ll be ready with our picket signs.”

Earlier this year, members of the Temple University Graduate Students’ Association walked the picket line for six weeks, before ratifying an agreement with the university in March.

TAUP is pushing university leaders to provide 15 sick days; improve the process for handling harassment and discrimination allegations; raise wages; and offer longer contracts to veteran adjunct professors and non-tenure track faculty, among other demands.

TAUP could legally stage a walkout next week if talks stall. Steve Orbanek, Temple’s director of communications, said in a statement that “the parties have historically continued discussions beyond the expiration date.”

“Currently, the parties are still in the early phases of bargaining, with no proposals made yet on core economic issues such as wages,” he continued. Talks began in late August and are set to resume Wednesday, with additional meetings scheduled through October, Orbanek said.

Administrators have twice offered to extend the contract, university officials said. The union rejected the first proposal, and Temple is waiting to hear back on the second, according to the administration.

A short-term extension “would provide the university with stability during what has been a difficult time,” Orbanek said. TAUP plans to provide an answer to the second extension proposal Wednesday, union representatives told Metro.

Tuesday’s rally was scheduled to coincide with the Temple Board of Trustees meeting, during which the board honored the college’s late president, JoAnne A. Epps, by formally removing the word “acting” from her title.

Epps’ sudden death, during a university event Sept. 19, sent the Temple community into a state of grief. She had been involved with the university for nearly four decades.

TAUP President Jeffrey Doshna began the rally with a moment of silence for Epps.