........Teaching Assistants Union at Western Michigan University 

Links

WMU Home Page
AFL-CIO
AFT

Did You Know?

“It is one of the characteristics of a free and democratic nation that it have free and independent labor unions.” -Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

A Few Facts:

• Master’s level teaching assistants only receive 5 credits of tuition remission per semester yet are required to take 6 credits per semester.
• TAU represents approximately 650 teaching assistants. In many departments we teach a majority of the students in introductory classes. We are currently negotiating our first contract for a voice in our employment, fair wages, better tuition remission, and employee health insurance. We want a contract because we have earned it.

Teaching Assistants have a Big Impact:

• 94% of students in 100 level Spanish courses are taught by teaching assistants.
• 50% of 100 level students in math are taught by teaching assistants.
• The History department employs teaching assistants to teach
  45% of students in 100 and 200 level courses.
• We are a vital part of the teaching in many, many other departments as well.

How Does WMU Compare to Other Universities?

• A comparison of master's level assistants at two Michigan universities
  

• Tuition waiver of at least 10 credit hours per semester:
  • Wayne State
  • Michigan State
  • University of Michigan
  • The SUNY Binghampton
  • University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  • The University of Alabama