clarification re: TSSU work stoppage

Hello everyone,

I have been following the discussion here and on other lists, reviewed the TSSU website, and read the emails from SFUFA and the University with strike updates. As I understand, it is specifically teaching work, of Teaching Assistants, that is involved in the full work stoppage, with faculty, staff, and students asked to respect picket lines when they are scheduled for one of the three campuses on certain dates.

I bring this up because I have not found a reference stating specifically that graduate student RAs continue working, aside from days when the campus on which they have their work space is being picketed and they want to respect the picket line.

I am encountering some confusion about this and imagine this can be especially perplexing for some new graduate students, especially from other countries where strike actions may be handled quite differently. As a faculty member, I also am not necessarily an appropriate person to clarify things for RAs and tell them whether or not they should be working.

Can anyone provide some definitive information on this and/or point me to an authoritative online site that addresses this specifically?

Best,

Suzanne

Dr. Suzanne K. Hilgendorf
(she, her, hers)

Professor | Linguistics
Simon Fraser University | Robert C. Brown Hall Building, Room 9201
8888 University Dr., Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6 CANADA
T: + 778 782 8583 | https://skhilgendorf.weebly.com/

From: Enda Brophy <ebrophy@sfu.ca>
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2023 14:17
To: academic-discussion (academic-discussion@sfu.ca)
Subject: Supporting the TSSU

Dear colleagues, for those who would like to support the TSSU, some of us are hoping to set up a spreadsheet so we can coordinate to ensure there are always faculty present on the picket line as the strike progresses. Please let me know off list if you would like to be involved in this initiative.

For those who would like to make a financial contribution to the strike fund, donations can be made by e-transfer to: strikefund@tssu.ca. According to the TSSU’s policies, “95% of the accrued amount in the Strike Fund is expressly reserved for strike pay” (to help striking TSSU members make ends meet without their paychecks), and the remainder is available to cover other expenses related to the strike and pickets (like food and supplies for picketers).

Best,

Enda

Enda Brophy (he/him)
Associate Professor | School of Communication

Associate | Labour Studies
Simon Fraser University | HC 3559
515 W Hastings St, Vancouver V6B 5K3
E: ebrophy@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University lies on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm) Nations.

clarification re: TSSU work stoppage - TAs vs. RAs