NEXT BARGAINING DATE:
Tentatively September 18/19, 2024.
If you are a TSSU member, you’re invited!
Email chief_steward@tssu.ca for details.
2024 Bargaining Updates
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Cautiously Optimistic: RA Bargaining Resumes
Hello TSSU members, In this bargaining update you will see: Last week we resumed bargaining for Research Assistants’ first Collective Agreement. This is a huge culmination of years of work and we continue to fight to secure what RAs deserve: RESPECT, FAIR WAGES, JOB PROTECTION, and BENEFITS. Because this is a continuation of bargaining for…
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RA Bargaining Continues
Hello TSSU Members, TSSU returned to the bargaining table for Research Assistants (RAs) this week to try to wrap up what should be uncontroversial articles before we move on to substantive discussions, which will begin no later than November 15. We were able to confirm agreement in principle on housekeeping in many articles including Union…
What is Bargaining?
Collective bargaining is one of the ways that we improve our working conditions. A Collective Agreement (CA) is a single contract that limits the rights of management and guarantees pay and other compensation for workers in the union. Bargaining is an expression of collective power that gives employees the ability improve their workplace in ways that individually would be limited.
Pre-2024 RA Bargaining Updates
- Living Wage Employer? Not for SFU’s RAs
Dear TSSU members, Your Contract Committee has met with the Employer in bargaining sessions every day this week to fulfill the terms of the settlement at the Labour Relations Board (LRB). In spite of SFU’s desperate attempts to delay at all costs, the resounding success of our strike vote has forced the Employer to finally respond on outstanding issues and provide a full wages and benefits proposal for Research Assistants. The Employer also has to meet a noon deadline on May 8 to propose wage and benefits improvements for all… - RA Update #10: SFU shows up, but won’t bargain meaningfully because of an elephant in the room
After months of waiting, yesterday TSSU finally received a counter proposal from SFU, but it was lacklustre and disappointing. SFU said it is difficult to bargain after the arbitrator’s decision on who is and isn’t an RA had resulted in an “elephant in the room” because, despite the clear and forceful language of the Sept 12, 2022 Arbitration, the Employer still thinks that most graduate students RAs are not employees. Even on clear and urgent issues such as fieldwork bullying and harassment where the Employer said negotiation is possible, SFU…
Detailed information on Proposals
The TSSU does not publish current proposals on its public website, but you can see a detailed list of our bargaining priorities. Proposals are negotiable positions that are intended to address our members’ concerns about our work, and may shift substantially during negotiations. Current detailed proposals are available for members and other interested parties, please contact tssu@tssu.ca for more information.