Temple undergrads plan walkout to back striking grad students
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Local leaders and undergraduate students at Temple University are backing striking graduate students, and a "day of action" and demonstration are planned on campus for Wednesday afternoon.
The university came under fire on social media after some members of the Temple University Graduate Student Association learned their tuition remission benefits were withdrawn as a result of the strike.
Students are holding a day of action, including a walkout from all classes and jobs on campus. They say it's to rally in solidarity with the striking workers.
Grace Bennett-Pierre, a teaching assistant in the psychology department, said the decision to strike was not made lightly, and now members are dealing with the withdrawal of the tuition and health insurance benefits.
"These are things that other universities with graduate unions have threatened to do while going on strike, but to our knowledge, no one else has actually done that," she said.
"I would much rather be teaching than out here today," adding that she appreciates the support of the undergraduates.
Sariah Rivera, a freshman, said she's heard the rallies happening while she's in class.
"I also feel bad since they'll send out emails saying like 'Oh, another TA will come in,'" Rivera said. "Why don't we just help them instead of ignoring the fact that they're there? I kind of just feel like they're being dismissed, and it makes me just feel bad."
"I think they should give them what they want," senior Bradley Carpenter said. "Everyone should be paid fairly."
The university released a statement about the strike that said in part: "We recognize that the university can only fulfill its mission with everyone doing their part. At the same time, the university cannot make concessions that would be economically unreasonable."
Temple also said striking workers can return to work and receive their benefits.
On Tuesday, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and reps from other local unions showed up at the Bell Tower on campus and spoke to the workers.
"Being on strike is not fun," he said. "Being on strike is not easy. You want to be doing the things that you came to Temple to do, but you can't do it if you're starving, you can't do it if you're homeless, you can't do it if you're worried about your basic necessities. So it's time for Temple to do the right thing."