A storm is brewing at the University of Pennsylvania, where the AAUP-Penn is accusing the administration of employing 'strikebreaking' tactics in anticipation of a potential graduate employee strike. This situation highlights a clash between the university's administration and its faculty, with graduate students caught in the middle. Let's dive into the details.
On Saturday, the Penn chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP-Penn) released a guide for faculty members, responding to a memo from the Office of the Vice Provosts for Education. This memo, obtained by The Daily Pennsylvanian, outlined recommendations for department chairs on how to maintain teaching continuity should teaching and research assistants (TAs/RAs) go on strike. AAUP-Penn, however, saw this as a move to undermine the potential strike, labeling the administration's plans as 'strikebreaking.'
In response, AAUP-Penn issued its own set of recommendations, providing faculty with advice on how to support union members. They also provided an annotated version of the Vice Provosts' memo, pointing out what they saw as its flaws.
AAUP-Penn's stance is clear: they believe the administration's actions are detrimental to the university community. They argue that by asking faculty to cross the picket line, the administration is asking them to compromise their integrity and relationships with graduate workers, potentially harming the quality of education and the university's ability to attract future graduate students. They urge faculty not to participate in what they consider to be strikebreaking activities.
The University, in a statement to the DP, emphasized its commitment to generating and sharing knowledge, stating that teaching and research continuity planning ensures the achievement of their shared academic mission. However, AAUP-Penn disputes this, arguing that the best way to ensure uninterrupted learning is to negotiate a fair contract with the graduate employees.
But here's where it gets controversial... AAUP-Penn suggests the administration's motivation for involving non-union members in teaching duties is to prevent them from joining the union. They point out that the university has a history of opposing graduate worker unionization.
Instead of following the administration's advice, AAUP-Penn encourages its members to support the contract campaign and explain to students why a fair contract is beneficial. They also advise faculty not to report the names of strikers or strikebreakers, fearing retaliation against workers exercising their legal right to strike. Furthermore, they discourage grading assignments or holding classes if TAs would normally handle those tasks.
This all comes after the Vice Provosts’ memo was circulated to department chairs starting on September 22, weeks before a demonstration by Graduate Employees Together — University of Pennsylvania (GET-UP) on October 8. GET-UP, the union representing graduate student workers, organized an informational picket to demand a fair contract. Their demands included provisions for international student support, protections against discrimination and harassment, and increased stipends.
At the demonstration, GET-UP announced that members had begun signing strike pledges, signaling a potential strike if the university didn't meet their demands. On October 8, AAUP-Penn's Executive Committee voiced its solidarity with GET-UP, emphasizing the importance of their efforts to secure a democratic voice and a fair contract. The committee accused the administration of distributing 'anti-union messaging' and pledged their support if GET-UP members voted to strike.
And this is the part most people miss... The core issue here is the balance of power and the value placed on graduate student labor. The AAUP-Penn is essentially saying that the administration's actions undermine the principles of fair labor practices and academic freedom.
What do you think? Do you agree with AAUP-Penn's assessment of the situation? Do you believe the university's actions are justified, or do you see them as an attempt to suppress the rights of graduate employees? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
