Temple University graduate students ratify new contract ending 6-week walkout

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Temple University graduate students who are teaching and research assistants have overwhelmingly ratified a new contract, ending their six-week-long walkout.

The Temple University Graduate Students Association, which said Monday evening that the vote was 344 to 8 in favor of ratification, said the new agreement "addressed the union's core demands of increased wages, more affordable dependent health care, reasonable leave policies, and better working conditions."

Members last month voted 352 to 30 to reject another proposal that was reached Feb. 18 and to continue the walkout.

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The new agreement, which the union called "the most robust" in its history and will be in effect until 2026, includes a market adjustment to pay "with significant wage increases in the first year followed by substantial raises in subsequent years," the union said. Also included are partial health care coverage for dependents, increased parental and bereavement leave, and improvements in the grievance procedure and articles relating to workload, the union said.

Over the past six weeks, the university has "demonstrated remarkable resilience," Temple President Jason Wingard said in a statement that he's pleased with the agreement.

Temple University graduate students have ratified a new contract ending a six-week-long strike.

He said, "Perseverance conquers, and today’s agreement is evidence of our collective willingness to unite and advance," The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

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