We, Temple alumni, support the Temple Union of Resident Assistants (TURA) in their effort to unionize. As alumni, we recognize the critical labor of University Housing and Residential Life (UHRL) student workers in making Temple a great place to learn and to grow for all students. They are first responders in their residence halls, working tirelessly to support all of their residents throughout their academic journey. Many of us lived in residence halls, and witnessed firsthand the work members of TURA do.

We are disappointed in Temple’s response to these workers when they asked for union recognition or even the right to have a union election. Over 80% of student workers in UHRL signed to form a union with OPEIU Local 153, just like their peers at Penn and Drexel. Yet Temple administrators continues to ignore this effort, unlike their peer institutions in Philadelphia. Temple administrators continue to delay, to deny, and to throw hurdles in front of these workers exercising their rights. As alumni of this university, we are very disheartened to see blatant refusal of worker democratic rights and we ask Temple administration immediately to change course.

We call on Temple administration to recognize TURA. We ask that you file a Joint Request for Certification with TURA as a union with the PA Labor Relations Board immediately in order to recognize their union.

As proud alumni of Temple University, we demand that administrators respect the contributions of these student workers and work with these courageous workers in good faith without delay.