Temple University's adjunct faculty vote to unionize

Adjunct faculty at Temple University voted Wednesday to join the American Federation of Teacher's affiliate, the Temple Association of University Professionals.

More than 1,400 adjuncts will now join an equal amount of full-time faculty colleagues in the union.

"We are proud that the adjunct faculty at Temple have voted to join the [American Federation of Teachers] — the largest union for adjunct faculty in the country," said Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, in a statement. "The complaints from adjuncts at Temple — low pay, unpredictable workloads, terrible job conditions and no benefits — echo those we hear from adjuncts across the country."

Temple's administration had lobbied against its adjunct faculty unionizing, but does not appear intent on appealing the decision.

"Now that the vote is completed, it is time to move forward," Temple Provost Hai-Lung Dai wrote in an email to Faculty. "Soon we will begin working with TAUP to produce a collective bargaining agreement that includes adjunct faculty. The university will work to ensure the best possible outcome for our community."

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal