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 Representation, and we have begun to make progress on defining key terms like Principal Investigators (PIs) and supervisors. The Employer has also, however, insisted upon delaying discussion of some things that TSSU thinks could be settled quickly. These include:
- Adding RAs to department email lists
- Supervisors’ providing mentorship, guidance, and support to RAs
- The determination of job qualifications for RAs
- RA access to SFU facilities like the library, recreation, and dining
Some of these items are fairly trivial: many RAs, for example, already have access to SFU facilities as students, and including RAs on email lists is already common practice in many departments. The conversations about job qualifications and mentorship, on the other hand, continue longstanding debates between the parties. The Employer seeks to establish that job qualifications are determined solely by the University in order to fetter TSSU’s right to challenge unreasonable requirements set by departments or supervisors, and the Employer is reluctant to include any type of support for RAs in the duties of supervisors. TSSU believes that support should not only be expected but required.
The Contract Committee will return back to the bargaining table next week, and we invite you to participate. TSSU practices open bargaining, so any and all members are welcome to attend. We continue to build RA power and community outside of bargaining as well. Mark your calendars with other upcoming events:
- Our next bargaining session on September 18 (time & location tbd)
- RA social to build our RA community: September 25 from 4:30-6:30 pm at Biercraft in the back room (RSVP here, invite your friends!)
In solidarity,
Your TSSU Contract Committee