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Hi all, I agree with Behraad for somewhat different reasons.
I also hire many RAs each term. In my research group, the work the RAs do is generally their own thesis work, guided by me to satisfy the grants they are funded under. If we move to a unionized model, where RAs work hours for me as the PI, their thesis work becomes something separate. I think that is bad for the students.
I worked in a lab as a graduate student where RA hours were worked and logged, then thesis work was done separately. It was hard to get thesis work done, completion times were horrible, and moral very low.
We should find other ways to end abuses.
Jeremy Venditti School of Environmental Science & From: Behraad Bahreyni <bba19@sfu.ca>
Sent: Friday, November 1, 2019 9:48 AM To: Enda Brophy; academic-discussion@sfu.ca Subject: RE: Faculty Letter of Support for TSSU RA Union Drive Dear Enda,
I think this is a terrible development. I am certain all of our faculty members want the best situation for our RAs. However, when a faculty member has a large group of RAs (many have more than 10) that they are supporting through grants whose success rates are around 5-20% that you plan for years to get and had to talk to 10 companies so that maybe one goes along with you, you need to be able to stay on the agenda for your research. You cannot lose momentum in research in many fields as there is global competition. Many certainly do not want their research to be disrupted because of the problems at other units. In many other cases, spending 20 hours a week on research for an RA is not even close to enough to get them to a level that they can publish results. If it goes through, this unionization will severely harm the research competitiveness of SFU. We will soon after lose our faculty members, will be unable to bring in the ones with potential, and the quality of our applicants will go down hill after that.
Thank you.
From: Enda Brophy <ebrophy@sfu.ca>
Dear colleagues,
As you may have heard, RAs here at SFU are seeking to unionize with the TSSU. I support this decision and hope that they are successful in this drive. I’m also hoping that as SFUFA members we can support their effort.
Please do consider signing the letter (there’s a form at the bottom to fill out if you want to sign) and circulating it to other members of faculty and/or librarians across the university who you think are likely to sign.
All the best,
Enda
Enda Brophy Associate Professor | School of Communication
Associate | Labour Studies E: ebrophy@sfu.ca | T: 778-782-8085 | www.cmns.sfu.ca
Simon Fraser University lies on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm) Nations.
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