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"We are asking all our members and the general public to respect TSSU picket lines, and join us in calling on SFU management to negotiate a fair collective agreement with its employees.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President
Vancouver (04 Sept. 2015) — The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) announced its support for the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) at Simon Fraser University today, and urged its members to not cross picket lines on the university campus.
SFU teaching support staff have been without a contract for 14 months
“Teaching support staff at SFU have been without a contract for almost a year and a half, which is unacceptable,” says BCGEU President Stephanie Smith. “We are asking all our members and the general public to respect TSSU picket lines, and join us in calling on SFU management to negotiate a fair collective agreement with its employees.”
TSSU members’ contract expired in April 2014, and the union has been able to achieve little progress at the bargaining table. Major bargaining issues include instructor seniority, grad students’ access to work, and access to benefits.
BCGEU/NUPGE members are asked not to cross TSSU picket lines
Job actions are planned for September 8 and 9 in the coming week, and BCGEU/NUPGE members are being asked to support the TSSU workers by refusing to cross picket lines and to show support for the picketers.
“The BCGEU stands in solidarity with striking TSSU workers,” says BCGEU Treasurer Paul Finch. “Teaching support staff deserve to be fairly compensated for the vital services they provide to faculty and students. We urge members and students to support these workers on the picket line.”
For the latest information on job actions and negotiations, check the TSSU web site.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE