Re: Raptors donate to the TSSU

I was just informed that the only access doors (other than the Hastings Street entrance) at the Harbour Centre campus have been locked. These are the doors on the Upper Mall level across from the old bookstore.

I support the strike and stand with the TSSU, but I have questions as to why access doors are locked with a sign telling people to use the Hastings Street entrance for building access.

Who would be responsible for making that decision and why? On whose behalf?

Suzanne Norman, BA, MPub

Senior Lecturer, Publishing@SFU

Industry Liaison, Publishing

FCAT Champion, Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship

Treasurer, Indigenous Editors Association

@sdnorman

778 782 5241

It is nice for the TSSU to receive this donation and publicity from the Toronto Raptors. But the press statement fell a little contrived and ungenuine. NBA players with an average annual salary of CA$ 13 million have nothing in common with graduate students that are trying to make ends meet. The salary of the top paid Raptors player is more than the combined salary of all the members of the TSSU.

Professional athletes such as NBA players are part of the problem of the enormous income inequality that exists in Canada and other countries that lies at the root at the problem. Just like executives, NBA players salaries are rising much faster (doubled in 10 years) than inflation There is enough wealth in Canada but the problems is the wealth continues to be shifted from the lower income to the wealthiest. The housing crises is an example of this. The wealthy keep taking bigger and bigger proportion of the pie while the bottom 50% are left fighting for the scraps. Big reason is the way people are taxed in Canada. Taxes are what pays for TSSU salaries and our salaries as well.

Unfortunately the funds SFU has at their disposal is fixed and to solve the salary issues, SFU needs to either cut jobs or taxes need to be raised. The jobs could be administrative (that have been ballooning), support staff, faculty etc. I wouldn't be surprised if SFU would suggest reducing TSSU positions. It just seems to me that often it is forgotten that giving funds to new initiatives or groups only takes away funds from others.

Alternatively, vote for politicians that increase taxes.

Eirikur

On Oct 6, 2023, at 1:55 PM, Ronda Arab <ronda_arab@sfu.ca> wrote:

Well this is interesting news.

The Toronto Raptors, who are doing some kind of practice thing at SFU Burnaby today, have donated $10,000 to the TSSU and are planning to join their picket at Harbour Centre before heading up to Burnaby.

Below is the press release the TSSU released, and below it is a link to the a statement on the NBPA's Twitter account, from the NBPA VP, Garrett Temple, expressing solidarity.

Pretty amazing!

Toronto Raptors NBPA members donate to TSSU strike fund

Oct. 6, 2023 — As members of the National Basketball Players Association, Toronto Raptors players have donated $10,000 to the Teaching Support Staff Union’s strike fund, in support of their ongoing work stoppage at Simon Fraser University (SFU).

“The members of the NBPA stand in solidarity with members of Simon Fraser University’s Teaching Support Staff Union,” Raptors player and NBPA vice president Garrett Temple said.

“The NBPA and its members on the Toronto Raptors are donating to the union’s strike fund, to support them as they continue their fight for a fair contract. We are hopeful they are soon able to return to the jobs they love, with a deal that respects their important contribution to student and university life.”

TSSU’s 1,600 members with current teaching positions are on strike to demand a fair contract that includes a cost-of-living pay adjustment, an end to wage theft, and a secure future for long-term instructors.

“This generous donation from the NBPA members is a great reminder that we, as workers, are all on the same team,” TSSU trustee Dalton Kamish said. “SFU faculty have brought food to our pickets, unions from across the country have donated to our strike fund, and community members have come out to walk the line with us.”

“Our only opponents are the deep-pocketed SFU executives who think we should starve while they give themselves bigger and bigger raises each year. We’re tired of dunking on SFU’s weak defence of indefensible contract offers. The ball’s in their court.”

The donation comes as the team is set to hold an open practice at SFU’s Burnaby campus Friday evening. The event will not be behind a picket line, as the TSSU will be picketing the university’s downtown campuses, including Harbour Centre (555 W Hastings St.). Members of the Raptors hope to join TSSU’s picket line there before heading up the mountain for their scrimmage.

Members of the public can donate to the TSSU strike fund via e-transfer to strikefund@tssu.ca.

TSSU Spokesperson:

Dalton Kamish (they/them)

https://twitter.com/TheNBPA/status/1710339234890907961/photo/1

Dr. Ronda Arab

Associate Professor of English

Simon Fraser University

pronouns: she/her