Teaching Grad Students Allowed To Unionize

Fri., Oct. 20, 2000

Temple University graduate students who serve as teaching and research assistants hailed a state ruling that allows them to unionize.

Graduate students at both Temple and Penn State sought to organize but faced university opposition. The universities said students had no right to form unions because they were college students first and employees second.

The state labor board Tuesday said Temple University arguments were insufficient to block unionization. The board has not ruled in the Penn State case.

University officials said that teaching and research jobs are part of the educational experience for graduate students, and that the exchange of work for money is incidental to the relationship.

Universities have recognized graduate student unions in New York, Florida, Oregon, New Jersey, Kansas, California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Teaching Grad Students Allowed To Unionize

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Scott Pelley accuses CBS News boss of 'Murdering' '60 Minutes'

Russia finance officials tell Putin war spending is unaffordable

‘Landmark’ pancreatic cancer drug keeps patients alive for twice as long