Yes. It's over. The CAS members and the Board of Governors both ratified the agreement and they're going back to work. While some are disappointed about the agreement they have made several important steps on the road to properly recognize the CAS profs for the contributions they provide to the Laurier community.
I'll ask about the details of the plan but I think we can all take a deep sigh of relief that what began seven months ago, is finally come to an end.
As many of you know from the WLU website, extra class time has been schedules for us and I recommend everyone to visit to see the class schedules for their CAS profs and make sure you attend. There's one for the Waterloo campus and one for the Brantford campus.
Showing posts with label strike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strike. Show all posts
Monday, April 7, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Tentative Agreement Reached!
Around 5:00 am this morning the bargaining teams of the university and the CAS have found a tentative agreement!
What does this mean? Well, it could possibly mean settlement. I've asked Dr. Judy Bates, president of WLUFA, about the details of the agreement and if the CAS got some of the things they were asking for - she hasn't gotten word yet because Doug Lorimer, WLUFA's chief negotiator, collapsed in exhaustion.
Picketing will continue through the morning but instead of a rally today at noon in the St. Mike's parking lot, there will be a celebration instead - come out and celebrate! WLUFA's executive will meet while Doug Lorimer and James Butler (administration's chief negotiator) will work out a "back to work protocol" deciding how things will work out now after being upset by the strike.
The CAS bargaining unit will vote on the agreement through the weekend and, if successfully passed, that will be the end of the strike and the labour negotiations.
Following that, on Monday at the Senate meeting, extra class time will be added on Tuesday and Wednesday to have profs get in touch with their students. As for specific cases in classes, that, I believe, would be for the profs to work out.
Besides that - This is really great news!
What does this mean? Well, it could possibly mean settlement. I've asked Dr. Judy Bates, president of WLUFA, about the details of the agreement and if the CAS got some of the things they were asking for - she hasn't gotten word yet because Doug Lorimer, WLUFA's chief negotiator, collapsed in exhaustion.
Picketing will continue through the morning but instead of a rally today at noon in the St. Mike's parking lot, there will be a celebration instead - come out and celebrate! WLUFA's executive will meet while Doug Lorimer and James Butler (administration's chief negotiator) will work out a "back to work protocol" deciding how things will work out now after being upset by the strike.
The CAS bargaining unit will vote on the agreement through the weekend and, if successfully passed, that will be the end of the strike and the labour negotiations.
Following that, on Monday at the Senate meeting, extra class time will be added on Tuesday and Wednesday to have profs get in touch with their students. As for specific cases in classes, that, I believe, would be for the profs to work out.
Besides that - This is really great news!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Three Words
It's about time!
The Student Union is amusing but not surprising. Back in the day of trying to prevent a strike - holding booths, attending dozens of classes, gathering the most successful petition in history (and then having it spit at by the administration), holding rallies, quiet sit in, and etc. The Student Union pretended that we are not here and that there is no problem. One of us was declined an audience with the Board of Directors before she was not "unbiased," and our warnings that have come true - the strike and the unfortunate results for all of our educations went ignored.
I guess things don't often disappear when you ignore them, huh?
Of course then, for over a week of canceled classes and picket lines the best the Student Union could say is "Play nice kids." Only afterward, when the strike prolonged from being uncomfortable to being scary, that they decided to actually do something... Only a month too late.
Of course, we support them all the way on this venture (though find it questionable as to their "neutral-activism"), better late than never I guess. Oh, but how typical is this of [student] politicians.
The Student Union is amusing but not surprising. Back in the day of trying to prevent a strike - holding booths, attending dozens of classes, gathering the most successful petition in history (and then having it spit at by the administration), holding rallies, quiet sit in, and etc. The Student Union pretended that we are not here and that there is no problem. One of us was declined an audience with the Board of Directors before she was not "unbiased," and our warnings that have come true - the strike and the unfortunate results for all of our educations went ignored.
I guess things don't often disappear when you ignore them, huh?
Of course then, for over a week of canceled classes and picket lines the best the Student Union could say is "Play nice kids." Only afterward, when the strike prolonged from being uncomfortable to being scary, that they decided to actually do something... Only a month too late.
Of course, we support them all the way on this venture (though find it questionable as to their "neutral-activism"), better late than never I guess. Oh, but how typical is this of [student] politicians.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Reaction from the picket
I was sent a reaction from the picket line. One of our CAS member took time to send in a email describing CAS sentiment about what is happening:
"I spent seven hours on the picket line yesterday, and I feel that I must share with you a few things about this whole strike situation:
"I spent seven hours on the picket line yesterday, and I feel that I must share with you a few things about this whole strike situation:
1) None of us out there likes the idea of freezing on the roadside.
2) Spending time as street walkers isn't what we dreamt of the night after we defended our PhDs. We all feel displaced and would much rather be in our classrooms.
3) We teach because we want to share our passion with you, not because it is lucrative. If we wanted to be rich, we would have chosen a different career.
4) Also, the nature of our work is such that it never ends. Even though we are paid part-time, we spend most of our waking time thinking about our classes. No class is like another; no lecture is identical to the one last term. One of my colleagues told me it takes him at least six hours to prepare one fifty-minute lecture, and this is normal.
5) Quite apart from the lecture preparation, we also spend a lot of time just getting to Laurier every time we have a class. As part-timers, we don't know if we would be re-hired next term, so it doesn't make much sense to uproot our families and move to Waterloo. As well, many of us have other jobs at other locations in Ontario. I commute from Toronto three times a week; I take Greyhound because it is cheaper than driving and it also allows me to mark papers or prepare classes while getting there; on my teaching days, I spend six hours just traveling to and from Laurier. I meet a number of my colleagues on the coach: to be there, we all get up at 5 am after only 3 to 4 hours of sleep. I assure you: this does take some commitment. And no, Laurier doesn't pay for our commute or even for the GRT.
6) You ever wondered how your part-time profs earn money during the summer? Better not ask: PhDs serving tables at Wendy's is by far not the worst scenario.
7) Lastly, don't think that strike only impacts students. We lose our April salary, all of it. We also jeopardize our chances of being re-hired next year.
As far as I am concerned, strike pay is not even going to cover my daycare expenses, which is why I can only afford to picket once a week, doing two shifts back to back. Which brings me back to point one. I do not like being cold. I do not like being called a full-time whiner. I do not strike because I don't feel like teaching. I did count on the April money, especially so because I will have no income over the summer. But I do support the strike because, regardless of whether I am re-hired next term or not, my colleagues are wonderfully warm, knowledgeable, hard-working people who deserve to be treated as professionals rather than casual workers and who depend on their wages to feed their children, so job security is probably as important for them as fair wages. "Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise."
Why do I write all this? Because I had a chance yesterday to see that many, if not most of you, understand and support us, even if you do not know all the details. Yes, there were some students who turned away from us, or even muttered insults, but they were only few. I cannot start telling you how heart-warming it was when you honked, or shoved hot coffee into our stiff hands, or dropped off steaming pizzas, tomato soup, or home-made cookies. Or simply walked the line with us for half an hour. This means a lot to us, and for all this I want to tell you my sincere, heartfelt THANK YOU!"
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Some Really Tough Profs
After two days where I clocked in about six hours total standing on the picket line, I've got to say - Laurier has some really tough profs! I stood on the picket line four times in anywhere between one and two hour shifts and then had to scurry back for organizational and planning duties. But our profs - they had to be out there in the cold for four hour shifts and some of them are old enough to be my grandparents. That takes endurance and that they have a lot of.
They're doing it for the right thing too. By now you've seen what the administration has proposed and what they asked to be competitive, and you should know that the Faculty Association told the administration where they can reach a compromise. Of course the administration refused to budge even when the proposed pay increase would cost them half of the combined wages of the people sitting on their negotiating team (less than a million dollars in a university whose revenue is 159 million) and on the seniority which is free and sensible. In fact, since this whole thing began the administration moved on their original offer by a grand total of 30 dollars... talk about inability comprise.
Now, through sheer pigheadedness the administration leaves students and profs hurting while they barricade themselves deeper inside their offices in the Peters Building. We managed to storm that bastion on Thursday, though we got nothing but Sue Horton's "fair and responsible" talk that, if you check the administration's website, seems to become more and more their mantra their chanting up there. Apparently, fair and responsible does not mean - realistic or competitive. After six months of this backtalk and mediation that took place from Monday morning to Wednesday at 6:00 am, it's no wonder that our part-time faculty is out on strike - they had no choice, as one of my profs eloquently explains in the video.
You've already heard how fair, productive, and respectful labour negotiations are human rights, however, there's a simpler issue at play here - the dignity of Laurier as a competitive institution and its ability to attract a competitive workforce. With the petty sum offered on the table Laurier is still lacking in many regards (among the biggest is job security and salary grid) to other universities, this will not attract new professors to come here. In fact, they will leave, which will devalue the quality of education provided here and worth of the degrees students are working hard to achieve. Already, since last year, I know of four profs that worked here and left since then. One of them works at UW, others in Toronto and other places. What kind of value does the "Canadian Experience" provides when it can't even keep profs from going to other institutions after they accumulated the experience needed to get a job there? In this scheme of things Laurier is missing out and not being competitive.
There really is no fairness in the current system they are trying to change - not in the salaries compared to other universities, not in salaries compared to full-time faculty (the most junior ones make almost twice what they do), not in salaries compared to the time they taught at Laurier, not in benefits they receive from the ones they deserve. The system is unfair, period. It treats academics - who do research, community service, and teaching, like chattel. It gives them a false title of "part-time," as a misnomer for doing much, much more. It then refuses to budge over peanuts.
As a long term goal, both for the quality of education Laurier provides and the future of the academia, the professors are fully justified in their actions - they have every right to withdraw their services from the people who do not wish to fully compensate for them. Now, they brave the winter weather to stand in picket lines for what they support and I am proud to be with them, walking the picket line, showing that the student body cares, and I urge everyone - even for ten minutes, to join the picket lines and help fight the human injustice inflicted upon the CAS.
They're doing it for the right thing too. By now you've seen what the administration has proposed and what they asked to be competitive, and you should know that the Faculty Association told the administration where they can reach a compromise. Of course the administration refused to budge even when the proposed pay increase would cost them half of the combined wages of the people sitting on their negotiating team (less than a million dollars in a university whose revenue is 159 million) and on the seniority which is free and sensible. In fact, since this whole thing began the administration moved on their original offer by a grand total of 30 dollars... talk about inability comprise.
Now, through sheer pigheadedness the administration leaves students and profs hurting while they barricade themselves deeper inside their offices in the Peters Building. We managed to storm that bastion on Thursday, though we got nothing but Sue Horton's "fair and responsible" talk that, if you check the administration's website, seems to become more and more their mantra their chanting up there. Apparently, fair and responsible does not mean - realistic or competitive. After six months of this backtalk and mediation that took place from Monday morning to Wednesday at 6:00 am, it's no wonder that our part-time faculty is out on strike - they had no choice, as one of my profs eloquently explains in the video.
You've already heard how fair, productive, and respectful labour negotiations are human rights, however, there's a simpler issue at play here - the dignity of Laurier as a competitive institution and its ability to attract a competitive workforce. With the petty sum offered on the table Laurier is still lacking in many regards (among the biggest is job security and salary grid) to other universities, this will not attract new professors to come here. In fact, they will leave, which will devalue the quality of education provided here and worth of the degrees students are working hard to achieve. Already, since last year, I know of four profs that worked here and left since then. One of them works at UW, others in Toronto and other places. What kind of value does the "Canadian Experience" provides when it can't even keep profs from going to other institutions after they accumulated the experience needed to get a job there? In this scheme of things Laurier is missing out and not being competitive.
There really is no fairness in the current system they are trying to change - not in the salaries compared to other universities, not in salaries compared to full-time faculty (the most junior ones make almost twice what they do), not in salaries compared to the time they taught at Laurier, not in benefits they receive from the ones they deserve. The system is unfair, period. It treats academics - who do research, community service, and teaching, like chattel. It gives them a false title of "part-time," as a misnomer for doing much, much more. It then refuses to budge over peanuts.
As a long term goal, both for the quality of education Laurier provides and the future of the academia, the professors are fully justified in their actions - they have every right to withdraw their services from the people who do not wish to fully compensate for them. Now, they brave the winter weather to stand in picket lines for what they support and I am proud to be with them, walking the picket line, showing that the student body cares, and I urge everyone - even for ten minutes, to join the picket lines and help fight the human injustice inflicted upon the CAS.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
A "Fair and Responsible" Offer
Ladies and Gentlemen - Max Blouw's own words:
So what was their final grand offer. That was obviously very competitive and recognized the value part-timers gave to Laurier. Well it was... 3.5%... oh and no increase in job security. Do the math now - 6,001 x 1.035 = 6,211. Compare that with other universities. That's after six months of negotiating, twice as long as it should, and nearly non-stop negotiations on Monday and Tuesday until 6:00 am in the morning today.
That's not an offer - that's a slap in the face! It is the opposite of keeping Laurier competitive or providing academic quality or, for that matter, caring about the concerns of the students! It says just how poorly they think of our part-time faculty and they have every right to be on strike.
As for the "challenges we face" - I heard of those, and those are very valid challenges. However, that's no excuse on dumping the brunt of those challenges on already the most overworked and underpaid individuals on our campus. It's neither fair nor responsible.
Ladies and Gentlemen - my own words:
I believe Laurier’s final offer is fair and responsible and takes into consideration both the short- and the long-term well-being of our students, staff, full-time faculty and contract academic staff. The university’s final offer recognizes the need for Laurier to be competitive with respect to the compensation of its CAS members. It also focuses on ensuring academic quality and the ongoing viability of Laurier by acknowledging the budgetary and other challenges we face.Key words are bolded.
So what was their final grand offer. That was obviously very competitive and recognized the value part-timers gave to Laurier. Well it was... 3.5%... oh and no increase in job security. Do the math now - 6,001 x 1.035 = 6,211. Compare that with other universities. That's after six months of negotiating, twice as long as it should, and nearly non-stop negotiations on Monday and Tuesday until 6:00 am in the morning today.
That's not an offer - that's a slap in the face! It is the opposite of keeping Laurier competitive or providing academic quality or, for that matter, caring about the concerns of the students! It says just how poorly they think of our part-time faculty and they have every right to be on strike.
As for the "challenges we face" - I heard of those, and those are very valid challenges. However, that's no excuse on dumping the brunt of those challenges on already the most overworked and underpaid individuals on our campus. It's neither fair nor responsible.
Ladies and Gentlemen - my own words:
Hypocrites.Key words are bolded.
Strike!
As of 6:00 am this morning our part-time faculty hit the picket lines.
So Max Blouw, within his first seven months in office got a labour action his hands... sad. Information on the legal obligations of students is posted on the Laurier website.
You're under no barriers to continue your classes with your full-time profs. The representatives of the CAS would also like to say that any student that wishes to join them on the picket line, can. I'll be there. But whether or not you choose to, is up to you. Their new office is at 255 King St. N. unit 6.
So Max Blouw, within his first seven months in office got a labour action his hands... sad. Information on the legal obligations of students is posted on the Laurier website.
You're under no barriers to continue your classes with your full-time profs. The representatives of the CAS would also like to say that any student that wishes to join them on the picket line, can. I'll be there. But whether or not you choose to, is up to you. Their new office is at 255 King St. N. unit 6.
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Strike Vote has Passed
From the WLUFA website:
It's paramount now that we stand behind them in this time of need and much still depends on us, the students, who have a big stake in these negotiations - we must pressure the administration to settle, the profs need our support. So, even if it's for a few minutes, show up to our demonstration on Monday 17th at noon - it will be leaving from the Dining Hall, concourse, and the Science Building atrium to gather in the quad outside of the Fred Nichols Campus Centre by about 12:15-12:30. We need more people there to show that Laurier stands united behind the part-timers!
The CAS Strike Authorization ballot was completed today.Now, before anyone panics let it be emphasized - this does not mean there will be a strike. It only gives the executive power to call for one if mediation on the 17th and 18th fails. If anything, this vote says that a strike may be averted because it puts more pressure on the administration to settle. Also, look at that number and what it is saying - there are 365 CAS/part-time profs now at Laurier and 89.4% are fed up with the way they are being treated by the administration, so much so, that they are willing to do the most drastic labour action they can to fight for their livelihood. If all 365 of them voted, 326 of them are fed up with their working conditions to that point - that's a lot of our profs very, very upset.
89.4% voted in favour of authorizing the WLUFA executive to call a strike if necessary.
The teams will be in mediation on Monday March 17th and Tuesday March 18th. The Bargaining Unit will be in a legal position to strike as of 12:01 am on Wednesday March 19th.
It's paramount now that we stand behind them in this time of need and much still depends on us, the students, who have a big stake in these negotiations - we must pressure the administration to settle, the profs need our support. So, even if it's for a few minutes, show up to our demonstration on Monday 17th at noon - it will be leaving from the Dining Hall, concourse, and the Science Building atrium to gather in the quad outside of the Fred Nichols Campus Centre by about 12:15-12:30. We need more people there to show that Laurier stands united behind the part-timers!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Dr. Horton, you don't scare me
Dear Students,
Here is a small piece of truth:
The administration can choose any resolution for our credits that they may desire. One common one is to grant everyone a "P" (pass). The implications of this are not ideal as it does devalue our degree, and any work that we may have done. A few other options exist and every academic facility in our position that I have read about has come to some sort of resolution for class-time lost due to labour disputes.
Dr. Horton's comment in the Cord outraged me. After a week of trying to explain that "losing" our terms wasn't likely, and demanding the administration for an answer, she attempts to scare us! You can't make us "lose our semester" due to a labour dispute. This isn't the answer we were looking for or the one we deserve.
Dr. Horton, I Don't Buy It. You have to do better for us than that.
Is this the rearing of the force that the WLUFA negotiating team has been up against? Is this a pitiful tactic to draw support away from the CAS? Is this administration really going to make us pay for the damage that they have done, e.g., punish us?
Students, be outraged. If they think that we are so simple minded as to not see through this, then they had better reconsider the true value of the Laurier student. They are training us up to be some of the best thinkers on the planet, and well, here we are, actually thinking and evaluating critically.
Fellow students, if the issue with the CAS doesn't make you angry, then this abuse of power should. They hold all the cards when it comes to our time here at Laurier, but making us lose our term is one thing that they cannot, and won't do.
Laurier administration,
What will you do if some of us have ethical issues with crossing a picket line? Will you penalise us for evaluating, thinking critically, and making an ethical decision by failing us?
York University faced a similar issue, and decided that they couldn't penalise students who in good faith could not cross a picket line. I challenge you to do the same for us.
Also, when are we going to get some answers from you? We rely on you for keeping our university a safe, sane, and reliable place. All I feel right now, is scared, nervous, tense, and a lack of confidence that we will be at all protected by those who have the power to do so.
Here is a small piece of truth:
The administration can choose any resolution for our credits that they may desire. One common one is to grant everyone a "P" (pass). The implications of this are not ideal as it does devalue our degree, and any work that we may have done. A few other options exist and every academic facility in our position that I have read about has come to some sort of resolution for class-time lost due to labour disputes.
Dr. Horton's comment in the Cord outraged me. After a week of trying to explain that "losing" our terms wasn't likely, and demanding the administration for an answer, she attempts to scare us! You can't make us "lose our semester" due to a labour dispute. This isn't the answer we were looking for or the one we deserve.
Dr. Horton, I Don't Buy It. You have to do better for us than that.
Is this the rearing of the force that the WLUFA negotiating team has been up against? Is this a pitiful tactic to draw support away from the CAS? Is this administration really going to make us pay for the damage that they have done, e.g., punish us?
Students, be outraged. If they think that we are so simple minded as to not see through this, then they had better reconsider the true value of the Laurier student. They are training us up to be some of the best thinkers on the planet, and well, here we are, actually thinking and evaluating critically.
Fellow students, if the issue with the CAS doesn't make you angry, then this abuse of power should. They hold all the cards when it comes to our time here at Laurier, but making us lose our term is one thing that they cannot, and won't do.
Laurier administration,
What will you do if some of us have ethical issues with crossing a picket line? Will you penalise us for evaluating, thinking critically, and making an ethical decision by failing us?
York University faced a similar issue, and decided that they couldn't penalise students who in good faith could not cross a picket line. I challenge you to do the same for us.
Also, when are we going to get some answers from you? We rely on you for keeping our university a safe, sane, and reliable place. All I feel right now, is scared, nervous, tense, and a lack of confidence that we will be at all protected by those who have the power to do so.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Sue Horton on our Courses
So after being unresponsible, being irresponsible, being downright dishonest. We get one tiny bit on inkling from the administration of what might happen if our part-time faculty goes on strike. From this week's article in The Cord:
This is the first bit of information she gave us on what will happen and there it is - we might lose our credits if they go on strike. We didn't say it - she did! Behold the wonders of this relic of the Rosehart regime, it's a wonderful thing that Dr. Max Blouw sacked her to the symbolic position of the grand old lame duck of the administration. I can see why our faculty hates her.
In better news, one of the awesomest supporters created a youtube video, it's worth a watch and a share with everyone:
“I’ve been through strikes at other universities and there is inconvenience,” explains Horton.Her dismissive attitude toward human beings fighting for their livelihoods aside... you know, that minor little bit about the "inconvenience" of profs not having enough to afford the basic necessities for life and her typical promise of "best interests" when the administration has done nothing but stagnate these negotiations, refuse to compromise, oh and lie to us on several occasions right through their teeth (like about the implications of the conciliator coming in). Look at the bold emphasized phrase - students losing their academic credits.
“It’s annoying, it causes delays in things but ultimately the students are our paramount concern here. We do not want to have students losing their academic credits ... so we will work absolutely with your interests in mind.”
This is the first bit of information she gave us on what will happen and there it is - we might lose our credits if they go on strike. We didn't say it - she did! Behold the wonders of this relic of the Rosehart regime, it's a wonderful thing that Dr. Max Blouw sacked her to the symbolic position of the grand old lame duck of the administration. I can see why our faculty hates her.
In better news, one of the awesomest supporters created a youtube video, it's worth a watch and a share with everyone:
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Strike Vote Today
Today was the day. In fact, tonight was the night. The CAS would have gone into a meeting understanding one thing about their reality, and left perhaps moving on to another.
What everyone needs to understand is that this is just another step in the process and by no means a reason to panic or think that anything has changed. This vote may or may have not put them into strike position. This doesn't mean that strike will absolutely happen next week, but it means that if they have strong enough support, they could. This also doesn't mean that there isn't the chance that Laurier won't lockout. This is, and has always been an option as soon as the "No Board" report is delivered.
This is now our chance to move. We can use this time to act. I do still believe that the students can apply pressure to motivate action on the behalf of the administration. We have always proven that we can inspire movement, and I think we can inspire more. Come to the general demonstration on Monday, March 17th. This is a key day: a day of mediation. Let's make noise, and show our outrage in an extremely visible way.
Terre
What everyone needs to understand is that this is just another step in the process and by no means a reason to panic or think that anything has changed. This vote may or may have not put them into strike position. This doesn't mean that strike will absolutely happen next week, but it means that if they have strong enough support, they could. This also doesn't mean that there isn't the chance that Laurier won't lockout. This is, and has always been an option as soon as the "No Board" report is delivered.
This is now our chance to move. We can use this time to act. I do still believe that the students can apply pressure to motivate action on the behalf of the administration. We have always proven that we can inspire movement, and I think we can inspire more. Come to the general demonstration on Monday, March 17th. This is a key day: a day of mediation. Let's make noise, and show our outrage in an extremely visible way.
Terre
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Strike vote, Tuesday. Strike, March 19th?
Dear all,
I am writing a general letter again, and it is with great concern for all of us. When I say this, I mean not only us students, but also the CAS who will be poised to strike in the next week.
As the subject of this note indicates, due to the lack of progress in negotiation, the CAS will holding a strike vote next week, Tuesday. It is at this time that we must all remember that strike is not a pleasant choice. When workers go on strike, the first 3-4 days are unpaid before strike pay starts. Strike pay is only a percentage of a regular wage, and their regular wage is already a raw deal. The CAS members are our teachers, but we have to remember that they are people, home-owners, tenants, parents, spouses, people with real life worries. We stand to suffer in our education, but they are fighting for their livelihood.
Even with this vote, the administration is also in position to lockout the CAS. This is a nerve-wracking time for us, but it is a scary time for the CAS.
In light of this, WLUFA responded to our questions and concerns after every twist and turn. It was with great disappointment that they informed us about this vote. This is not the result that they have been hoping for, but it takes two parties to negotiate. There are clearly major issues outstanding.
WLUFA keeps its members informed by email and newsletters released to its website, which we have been checking to pass on this information to you. WLUFA has set up information tables, handed out brochures, created poster campaigns (some of us have approached our professors who wear the pin-badges), and has kept in touch with the Cord since the end of October. As we all sit in tense lectures, wondering whether or not we will even be attending in a couple of weeks, whether or not we will need to cross picket lines to get to classes, the administration has not released an ounce of information about how we will be compensated for our term. As we worry about the status of professional and grad school applications, as we worry about time spent and money lost, they have yet to give any information that sheds light on our situation.
It is at this point that I challenge the administration to inform us. I would like to see the administration shed some light on all of this too. I challenge them to create a website with the latest news, like wlufa.ca. I challenge them to talk to us about how they are going to change the situation for the CAS and improve their working conditions. I challenge them to come and talk to us in the Concourse and answer our questions, like WLUFA has, at our request. So far, the administration has sent out a canned email response, riddled with grammatical errors, telling us nothing relevant.
After all, the CAS's working conditions, are our learning conditions.
In solidarity,
Terre
I am writing a general letter again, and it is with great concern for all of us. When I say this, I mean not only us students, but also the CAS who will be poised to strike in the next week.
As the subject of this note indicates, due to the lack of progress in negotiation, the CAS will holding a strike vote next week, Tuesday. It is at this time that we must all remember that strike is not a pleasant choice. When workers go on strike, the first 3-4 days are unpaid before strike pay starts. Strike pay is only a percentage of a regular wage, and their regular wage is already a raw deal. The CAS members are our teachers, but we have to remember that they are people, home-owners, tenants, parents, spouses, people with real life worries. We stand to suffer in our education, but they are fighting for their livelihood.
Even with this vote, the administration is also in position to lockout the CAS. This is a nerve-wracking time for us, but it is a scary time for the CAS.
In light of this, WLUFA responded to our questions and concerns after every twist and turn. It was with great disappointment that they informed us about this vote. This is not the result that they have been hoping for, but it takes two parties to negotiate. There are clearly major issues outstanding.
WLUFA keeps its members informed by email and newsletters released to its website, which we have been checking to pass on this information to you. WLUFA has set up information tables, handed out brochures, created poster campaigns (some of us have approached our professors who wear the pin-badges), and has kept in touch with the Cord since the end of October. As we all sit in tense lectures, wondering whether or not we will even be attending in a couple of weeks, whether or not we will need to cross picket lines to get to classes, the administration has not released an ounce of information about how we will be compensated for our term. As we worry about the status of professional and grad school applications, as we worry about time spent and money lost, they have yet to give any information that sheds light on our situation.
It is at this point that I challenge the administration to inform us. I would like to see the administration shed some light on all of this too. I challenge them to create a website with the latest news, like wlufa.ca. I challenge them to talk to us about how they are going to change the situation for the CAS and improve their working conditions. I challenge them to come and talk to us in the Concourse and answer our questions, like WLUFA has, at our request. So far, the administration has sent out a canned email response, riddled with grammatical errors, telling us nothing relevant.
After all, the CAS's working conditions, are our learning conditions.
In solidarity,
Terre
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