TSSU

People wearing yellow shirts holding signs in protest
4 min 0 2485

Research assistants and TSSU rally outside Strand Hall

Yelin Gemma Lee November 20, 2021

The Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) held a rally protesting SFU administration’s continued delays with their research assistants (RAs) union contract outside of Strand Hall on September 23, 2021.  In November 2019, SFU agreed to the voluntary recognition agreement that acknowledged TSSU as the union for RAs. Despite this, RAs have been without a contract for 677 days, and TSSU reported delays in the bargaining process. The Peak was present and observed the rally. The rally began at Cornerstone Square on the Burnaby campus with introductory speeches by organizing leaders. After gathering everybody and handing out t-shirts, buttons, and signs,…

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Staircases leading up to Convocation Mall from the lower bus loop
5 min 0 2033

Teaching Support Staff Union and faculty respond to SFU health guidelines

Nancy La September 13, 2021

On August 24, the BC Provincial Health Office (PHO) issued an updated COVID-19 guideline for post-secondary institutions. The revised guidelines include a mask mandate for return to class, but students will not be required to be vaccinated to attend in-person…

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2 min 0 1852

Teaching Support Staff Union begins first bargaining session with SFU for RA rights

Jaymee Salsi May 24, 2021

On March 23, 2021, the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) and SFU administration had their first meeting to negotiate a collective agreement. To bring SFU to the bargaining table, the TSSU gave the university multiple legal notices, publicly campaigned for…

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3 min 1 2513

Teaching Support Staff Union continues to advocate for research assistants

Jaymee Salisi March 22, 2021

In 2019, SFU signed a Memorandum of Agreement of Voluntary Recognition with the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) to grant the university’s research assistants (RAs) equal rights and benefits as other SFU employees. Since then, SFU has violated every term…

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4 min 0 1760

Research assistants need healthcare and SFU’s labour practices need reform

Emma Jean March 21, 2021

Over the past month, the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) has been circulating a petition that demands research assistants (RAs) — who fall under the TSSU —  be granted the benefits they were promised by SFU nearly two years ago.…

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Graduate Student Society holds 2021 annual general meeting

Jaymee Salisi March 10, 2021

On February 23, 2021, the SFU Graduate Student Society (GSS) held their annual general meeting over Zoom. The event was open to graduate students in good standing to vote on matters surrounding their experiences at the university.  Opposition to tuition…

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8 min 2 2707

The exploitation of Research Assistants (RAs) by SFU

Serena Bains November 28, 2020

Research is one of SFU’s three pillars in its strategic vision, resulting in $161 million in income. Research assistants (RAs), a group that primarily consists of graduate students at SFU, conduct much of the day-to-day research.  For years, RAs have…

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3 min 1 1942

C19 Coalition answers student and worker questions in virtual Town Hall

Devana Petrovic July 29, 2020

Updates from student and faculty organizations C19 Coalition representative, Alison Wick, provided some background on the recently formed advocacy group. The Coalition was formed as an alliance between the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), the Graduate Student Society (GSS), and…

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4 min 0 2085

Council Corner: June 9, 2020

Michelle Gomez June 25, 2020

Discussion with SFU senior leaders about student services in COVID-19 The GSS meeting began with a presentation followed by discussion with Rummana Khan Hemani (SFU’s Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Students & International) and Erin Biddlecombe (Senior Director, Office of Vice-Provost…

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3 min 1 2067

SFU community group formed to advocate for student and staff during COVID-19

Michelle Gomez May 26, 2020

In light of COVID-19, members of the SFU community have come together in support of one another through a group known as the SFU C19 Coalition. Formed in March of 2020, the SFU C19 Coalition consists of a combination of…

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