The Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) is currently in a difficult round of bargaining with Simon Fraser University. After over a year of negotiations and despite the Union’s efforts to resolve key issues, the parties are still far apart.
TSSU has issued notice of an escalation to full work stoppages and picket lines starting one campus at a time, beginning 06:00 AM on Thursday, September 28, 2023 should a negotiated settlement not be achieved.
Recognizing that there are PSAC members who work at shared office towers with SFU campuses, PSAC members are encouraged to support TSSU in their efforts for a fair collective agreement.
If you face a picket line at your workplace, you should take the following steps:
- Ask to speak to the picket captain. Identify yourself and that you work in that building, office, or worksite. Find out what the major issues are.
- Ask for a management representative in your office or work location to escort you through the picket line.
- Volunteer your support to our sisters, brothers and friends at TSSU. Support can take many forms: for example, you could join them on the picket line before and/or after work and during your lunch break. Your local can also make donations to their strike fund or the coffee fund. Ask what the picketers would prefer.
- If you have any questions, concerns, or experience a problem at your worksite: contact your Regional Office immediately
It’s important to note that as unionized workers, we sometimes must fight to improve our working conditions. TSSU members supported PSAC during the CRA and TB strikes. Together, TSSU and PSAC are committed to supporting each other to achieve fair collective agreements. As we are all acutely aware, when union members stand together, we win together. We encourage all PSAC members to support the TSSU picket lines where possible.