Support Teaching Assistants at KU

Since May 2005, the Graduate Teaching Assistant Coalition (GTAC) at the University of Kansas has been attempting to negotiate a new employment contract with the University. Despite GTAC’s best efforts, very little progress has been made, and for the second consecutive academic year the University’s teaching and research assistants face the prospect of working under the conditions of the expired contract.

 GTAC requested that a neutral third party be enlisted to examine the unresolved issues and propose a fair and reasonable settlement. In an effort to bring these negotiations to a rapid and equitable conclusion, GTAC pledges to accept sight-unseen whatever settlement the fact-finding process produces.

We urge you to sign the below petition to encourage the University of Kansas’ administration to join the union in this commitment to accept the fact finder’s proposal. Please sign the petition to support the Graduate Teaching Assistants at Kansas University.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support Graduate Teaching Assistants at KU

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

We, the undersigned, do hereby urge the administration of the University of Kansas to join the Graduate Teaching Assistant Coalition in agreeing to accept without modification whatever solution is produced by the neutral Fact-Finding process.

Since May 2005, the Graduate Teaching Assistant Coalition (GTAC) at the University of Kansas has been attempting to negotiate a new employment contract with the University. Despite GTAC's best efforts, very little progress has been made, and for the second consecutive academic year the University's teaching and research assistants face the prospect of working under the conditions of the expired contract. During this time KU's GTAs have not received merit or base-pay raises. Many continue to earn an annual salary of $10,000, almost $4,000 below the national average* and KU's own estimated cost-of-living.

After attempts at mediation failed to produce an agreement, GTAC requested that a neutral third party be enlisted to examine the unresolved issues and propose a fair and reasonable settlement. In Kansas, this "fact-finding" process is not legally binding, and the university administration is free to reject the ruling of the fact-finder.

In an effort to bring these negotiations to a rapid and equitable conclusion, GTAC pledges to accept sight-unseen whatever settlement the fact-finding process produces. We urge you to sign the below petition to encourage the University of Kansas' administration to join the union in this commitment to accept the fact finder's proposal.

Accepting this third-party settlement will allow the University's teaching assistants to focus more fully on their research and teaching duties and will also allow the KU administration to redirect their resources to improving the educational climate of the university. As the fact-finding process is by definition neutral, it offers the best opportunity for the whole University of Kansas community to bring this matter to a just and fair conclusion and focus on what is most important to all of us: our educational mission.

* According to the 2004/2005 "Annual Survey of Graduate Assistant Stipends" produced by the University of Florida the average GTA salary across the United States was $13,863 that academic year.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
November 13, 2006


Background Information

The Graduate Teaching Assistants at the University of Kansas want to let the facts speak in their current round of negotiations with the university administration.

The Graduate Teaching Assistants Coalition (GTAC) is the union that represents all GTAs at KU. Formed in 1995, GTAC has successfully negotiated gains for GTAC in 1997 and 2002, including important gains such as minimum salaries, guaranteed yearly raises, fee waivers, and raising the universities contribution to the GTA health care plan. Now we are trying to do it again, and we need your help.

Since May 2005, the Graduate Teaching Assistant Coalition (GTAC) at the University of Kansas has been attempting to negotiate a new employment contract with the University. Despite GTAC's best efforts, very little progress has been made, and for the second consecutive academic year the University's teaching and research assistants face the prospect of working under the conditions of the expired contract. During this time KU's GTAs have not received merit or base-pay raises. Many continue to earn an annual salary of $10,000, almost $4,000 below the national average* and KU's own estimated cost-of-living.

 After attempts at mediation failed to produce an agreement, GTAC requested that a neutral third party be enlisted to examine the unresolved issues and propose a fair and reasonable settlement. In Kansas, this "fact-finding" process is not legally binding, and the university administration is free to reject the ruling of the fact-finder. In an effort to bring these negotiations to a rapid and equitable conclusion, GTAC pledges to accept sight-unseen whatever settlement the fact-finding process produces.

We urge you to sign the petition to encourage the University of Kansas' administration to join the union in this commitment to accept the fact finder's proposal. Accepting this third-party settlement will allow the University's teaching assistants to focus more fully on their research and teaching duties and will also allow the KU administration to redirect their resources to improving the educational climate of the university. As the fact-finding process is by definition neutral, it offers the best opportunity for the whole University of Kansas community to bring this matter to a just and fair conclusion and focus on what is most important to all of us: our educational mission.

* According to the 2004/2005 "Annual Survey of Graduate Assistant Stipends" produced by the University of Florida the average GTA salary across the United States was $13,863 that academic year.