Email Update

June 12, 2006

On May 9, TUGSA activists and leaders conducted a spirited, clamorous picket line in front of Sullivan Hall prior to and during a Board of Trustees meeting. Former Co-President Andrew Dixon convincingly played the role of a vacationing, absent President David Adamany while picketers shouted "Adamany, you lame duck! Walking away really sucks!" and other chants. TUGSA also represented the current state of its negotiations with the administration through a table and set of vacant chairs.

The action was a success because several members of the Board of Trustees who were unaware that negotiations were still broken off stopped to speak with TUGSA members on their way into the meeting. In addition, security officers near the picket line were informed that we could be heard in the meeting. TUGSA will not be silenced by adversity! The Student Labor Action Project, the Temple Association of University Professionals (TAUP), and other allies showed their solidarity by marching with us.

Since the administration still refuses to negotiate with TUGSA because of our position on workload,* we are turning up the heat on them this summer! Political, community, and other allies are contacting the Temple administration on our behalf; TUGSA organizers are meeting with summer TAs to discuss membership and activism opportunities; and the new officers are planning for our annual strategic planning retreat.

Want to know how you can get involved this month?

1) Join us for another informational picket outside David Adamany's residence on Rittenhouse Square on Wednesday, June 21 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. We hope to grab the media's attention this time and educate the wider Philadelphia labor community beyond Temple about our struggle to win a fair contract.

2) Attend the Board of Trustees Meeting on Thursday, June 22, at 3:00 PM; we'll use T-shirts and other methods to send a message to the trustees during the meetings.

If you want to participate in either or both of these actions, send an email to union@tugsa.org for more details.

-----------------------------------------------------

* TUGSA asked that when TAs or RAs work overtime, that they be able to file a grievance and have the situation evaluated by a third party. Temple administration refused even to discuss the question of workload or of addressing workload violations, and walked away from the table.