USF Holds Graduate Assistant Pay Talks Until July

The University of South Florida has postponed pay negotiations for its graduate assistants until next summer, a decision that leaves workers without a guaranteed income increase for the upcoming academic year. The university’s bargaining team told the Graduate Assistants Union, or GAU, this month that the Board of Trustees has not authorized pay increases. The school stated that it must wait for the final budget before discussing stipends, a process that could last until July.

Union President Tessa Barber said the university’s delay contradicts a prior understanding. The GAU signed an agreement with the university last year, with the expectation that pay talks for the 2026-2027 school year would occur later. Barber described the university’s position as a violation of that deal, noting that the issue has been deferred for years rather than resolved.

Financial pressures on graduate assistants are intensifying. Barber noted that housing, food, and gas costs are rising while pay remains stagnant. Many graduate assistants work a minimum of 40 hours per week for the university but still require outside employment to cover living expenses. The university has recently increased scrutiny on these outside jobs, making it harder for assistants to supplement their income without risking their positions.

Graduate labor supports a large portion of USF’s operations. Barber stated that more than a quarter of classes at the university are taught by graduate students. She also noted that these workers generate hundreds of millions of dollars through their research contributions. Despite this economic value, the university has not matched the pay to current inflation rates.

USF President Moez Limayem addressed the issue at a town hall earlier this year. He acknowledged that graduate assistant stipends are not high enough, but he also stated that assistants are not supposed to live on their stipends alone. The university’s stance places pressure on workers who rely on these payments for basic needs.

The GAU, which unionized in 1980, faces additional challenges under new state legislation. Senate Bill 1296, passed this year, raises the voter threshold for union elections to 50% of workers. A legislative staff analysis indicated that the law could conflict with the state Constitution. The next public bargaining session is scheduled for November 13 at 10 a.m. on USF’s campus.