Re: TSSU Bargaining: SFU fails to prepare

On Oct 12, 2023, at 6:21 PM, Steve DiPaola <sdipaola@sfu.ca> wrote:

Also my understanding, rather than informing the TSSU say ahead of time, even an hour ahead, they had everyone show up for this very important meeting, only to walk in and announced that nothing would happen and left. Seems more like another tactic than fair bargaining practice.

Also, in my view there should only be one thing to be bargained and I don't even think they started it. Let's think of this logically. 1) You have knowledge workers thinking they deserve more pay and benefits. Typically then you find like-minded knowledge workers and see what they're being paid as a guide and both sides negotiations based on that evidence. 2) SFU because it doesn't have the size and staff at UBC,when a lot of issues or policies come up, simply sees what UBC does first and copie adapts it, sometimes to a smaller extent. I've seen this scores of times in my 20 years here. Given the two statements above, what should happen and should have happened already is obvious: TSSU say, we should be paid as much as UBC sessionals and TAs. And here is what they are paid. The administration critter Craig and all would be over or come back and say no we can't do that but will give you 60% towards that direction, say. And they both would simply go back and forth and come up with what number closest to what UBC does they both accept. This seems the most practical and obvious way this should have went. Yet the administration hasn't even started that basic way of negotiating, instead they went negative right off the bat.

On Thu, Oct 12, 2023, 5:25 PM Wendy Loken Thornton <wthornto@sfu.ca> wrote:

You may very well be correct, Derek, but then what source of information would you suggest? According to SFU, TSSU has been reluctant to engage. According to TSSU, SFU did not show up to negotiate today, which seems objectively verifiable. I perceive SFUFA as providing info when they can, primarily around what to do around picket lines, classes etc.

If someone needs to work a few evenings and weekends to resolve this, I'm all for it.

***

Wendy Loken Thornton, Ph.D. R.Psych
Professor, Department of Psychology

Director, Cognitive Aging Lab
Simon Fraser University

***

The SFU Burnaby campus is located on the unceded traditional territories of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam, and Kwikwetlem Nations.

Note: My working hours and yours may differ. Please don't feel obligated to reply outside of your normal hours.

From: Derek Bingham <dbingham@sfu.ca>
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2023 5:16 PM
To: Michael Sjoerdsma; academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: Re: TSSU Bargaining: SFU fails to prepare

Hi,

My understanding is that the TSSU made proposals at the end of day yesterday, and the SFU side, whilst preparing for mediation on Friday, did not come prepared to respond this morning. One might claim that the SFU side ought to have spent the night dealing with the proposal, while one might instead claim that seriously responding to proposals might take more time than the evening and sleep allows. The situation may be more complicated than simply "SFU did not come to the bargaining table today prepared to negotiate". I am not a negotiator, so I do not know for sure.

I have found that the University, TSSU and SFUFA have been spotty as sources of information. So, I do find it difficult to draw any conclusions based on any one of these sources.

Derek

Derek Bingham

Professor

Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science

Simon Fraser University

From: Michael Sjoerdsma <mhs@sfu.ca>
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2023 4:56:34 PM
To: academic-discussion@sfu.ca
Subject: TSSU Bargaining: SFU fails to prepare

Hi everyone,

In an effort to stay updated on the TSSU negotiations, I’ve found that TSSU usually provides updates on Reddit first. The link below is for the latest update, where SFU did not come to the bargaining table today prepared to negotiate. Given the importance of coming to an agreement, not coming to the table today is particularly problematic, especially when the university often implies that it is TSSU who is not willing to negotiate.

I would have hoped the job action so far was enough pressure for SFU admin to take action, but apparently not. I suggest those concerned write to SFU’s President, the VPA, the VPPEI, and/or The BC Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Selina Robertson, (selina.robinson.MLA@leg.bc.ca).

The TSSU is currently in Strand(ed) Hall asking for an academic VP to come to the table.

Mike

From the simonfraser community on Reddit

reddit.com

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