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Bargaining Dates Bargaining Updates (2019-2020) Student Updates

Update #9: Negotiations for Graduate Facilitators continue; hopeful response from Admin on “No Harassment” proposal

Today’s bargaining session illustrated the benefits of involving informed decision-makers in negotiations. SFU Administration delivered a counter-proposal for Graduate Facilitators (GFs), TSSU’s newest members. While the contract committee is happy that SFU Administration is negotiating, unfortunately their proposal does not address the concerns that led Graduate Facilitators to unionize. Admin’s proposal:

  • requires facilitators to apply for their jobs each semester
  • maintains the hourly time-sheet system, leaving facilitators without predictable pay
  • expects untestable qualifications, some unnecessary to conduct the work
  • reduces the time a GF may remain in their position after graduation
  • refuses to recognize this work as teaching

With the Head of the Student Learning Commons and the Associate Dean of Libraries present for negotiations, TSSU explained the necessity of recognizing the crucial teaching work that facilitators deliver to SFU students. Administration responded with promises to reconsider their proposals in several areas, while TSSU also amended our GFs proposal in several areas, moving towards agreement.

SFU Administration responded positively to TSSU’s “No Harassment” proposal, which will increase Admin’s responsibility to protect members targeted by harassment, but Administration has yet to give definite agreement. We also signed an agreement to update union access to bulletin boards now that jobs are posted online, so more TSSU posters are coming to a board near you, soon!

These conversations will continue in September, as we have tentatively scheduled two bargaining dates for the 16th and 19th. Members are invited to attend; email tssu@tssu.ca to let us know you’re coming!


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