Exciting news from Temple University! The faculty union has secured a groundbreaking five-year contract that includes the largest negotiated raises since 1999 and enhanced job security measures.
The Temple Association of University Professionals (TAUP), representing 2,300 faculty members, librarians, and academic professionals, announced this milestone agreement after more than a year of collective bargaining. Once ratified, all full-time employees will receive a $10,000 raise and 3% annual raises throughout the contract. Additionally, adjuncts will see higher pay and no increases in health care costs.
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In a statement, the union expressed, “This is the most transformative agreement since our 1990 strike, with significant wins on pay equity, job security, and various benefits.” However, the tentative contract is subject to ratification by union members and approval by the university’s Board of Trustees.
Sharon Boyle, Temple’s vice president of human resources, extended gratitude to the university community for their patience during the negotiation process. The initial 18-month extension proposal with only salary increases was rejected by TAUP, leading to a campaign for equitable contract terms in response to the COVID-19 impact on higher education.
Under the new contract, adjunct professors at Temple will receive substantial pay rate increases, with a 50% raise over the contract’s duration. While there were improvements in bereavement and parental leave, the sick leave policy remains unchanged, a point of contention for the union.
Furthermore, the agreement includes strengthened academic freedom protections and extended guidelines for discipline based on student feedback. This development follows a six-week strike by Temple’s graduate student union and accompanies the upcoming leadership transition with John Fry assuming the role of president.