SFU’s Teaching Support Staff Union has issued a notice that they will be kicking off more job action tomorrow. On November 7th, the TSSU stood in solidarity with members of CUPE 3338 in a 24 hour picket of Simon Fraser campuses in Downtown Vancouver, Surrey, and at Burnaby Mountain.

Other post-secondary unions had job action today. Members of the Vancouver Community College Employees Union, CUPE 4468, were on strike at both VCC campuses today. Members of the BCGEU and the BC Faculty and Staff Association held picket lines at BCIT.

Last week at UBC, CUPE 2278 members approved their contract, which gave them a 2% wage increase each year for two years retroactive from September, subtracted from which is a $50,000 fund that the union can use to give to members to cover costs related to employment. They also won some wording around hiring preferences, ensuring that PhD students are able to have employment for more of their degree. UBC had originally offered 1.5% for both years.

From the TSSU:

PRESS RELEASE

On Monday, November 19th, the Simon Fraser University’s Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) will begin a week of action.

After over two years at the bargaining table, the TSSU will launch this week of action with an “Opening Ceremonies” tomorrow in front of the WAC Bennett Library at 8:30 in the morning and will continue with teach ins, protests, and pickets throughout the week.

SFU is the only remaining university in B.C. without an agreed upon contract with campus workers. To protest the University’s destructive bargaining practices. This week of actions will rally the Simon Fraser campus community – including faculty, students, and campus workers – in opposition to administrative policies that are responsible not only for the enmiseration of campus workers, but also for the general decay of Simon Fraser as a center for learning, teaching, and research.

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For Further Information:
Derek Sahota 778-320-9428 dereks@tssu.ca
Jeff Zurek 778-836-1384 jeffz@tssu.ca