Universities replace TAs with adjuncts

Because universities can replace unionized TAs with nonunion adjuncts mid-bargaining, grad unions' leverage shrinks. Columbia canceled 137 TA roles, hired adjuncts, and offered 2% raises during talks. — Creates a replicable union-avoidance template in higher ed, reshaping labor rights, wage norms, and instructional quality across a sector with rapidly expanding graduate-worker unionization.