Temple University's successful grad student strike offers lessons for academic labor organizers

On Jan. 31 of this year, the Temple University Graduate Students' Association (TUGSA) launched the first strike in their 25-year history. The decision to strike came as a result of years of organizing that largely began in 2020, after Temple's decision to force in-person classes in the fall of 2020 led to a completely preventable <a href="https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/temple-in-midst-of-coronavirus-outbreak-200-cases-15-of-tests-positive/2521960/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 outbreak</a>. Striking for 42 days, graduate student-workers faced cuts to their health insurance, threats to lose tuition remissions, and more. Nevertheless, TUGSA persevered, winning a new contract that raised wages and eliminated Temple's wage-tier system for graduate student-workers in different departments. Although the new contract doesn't meet TUGSA's maximal demands, the mettle and commitment displayed by student-worker organizers offers a bright spot with important lessons for the labor wave roiling academic institutions across the country. Vince Quiles, lead organizer of Home Depot United Philadelphia, interviews TUGSA strike captain Josh Stern to learn more about the story of the Temple University strike.<br /><br /><a href="https://therealnews.com/temple-universitys-successful-grad-student-strike-offers-lessons-for-academic-labor-organizers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here to read the transcript</a><br /><br />Studio Production: David Hebden<br />Post-Production: Cameron Granadino<br /><br /><b>Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer: </b><br /><b><br />Donate: <a href="https://therealnews.com/donate-pod" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://therealnews.com/donate-pod</a></b><br /><b>Sign up for our newsletter: <a href="https://therealnews.com/newsletter-pod" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://therealnews.com/newsletter-pod</a></b><br /><b></b><br /><b></b><br /><