Colleagues,
TUFA’s Bargaining Team returns to the table this morning, but the Union’s solidarity work is always running in the background. . . .
1. Victory at Dalhousie
Last week, the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) announced a tentative agreement with the University administration after nearly a month on the picket line. The strike at Dalhousie began as an employer lockout of the bargaining unit to intimidate DFA members. That was bad strategy on the part of Dal’s administration. Marshalling academic staff associations across the country, the CAUT’s Defence Fund (of which TUFA is an active member) ensured that the DFA received the support (flying pickets, communications, and financial resources) they needed to outlast the employer. TUFA’s contribution to the DFA comes to $4,000 and reflects our standing policy to support other unions in our sector. Academic staff associations prevail in contests with university employers because a fight on one campus is a fight with us all.
2. Picket support for OPSEU – Strike in the Colleges
Support staff in the community colleges are pushing back against job cuts, program closures, and the contracting out of bargaining unit work by throwing picket lines around Ontario’s 24 publicly funded colleges. TUFA’s Executive Committee has approved $1,000 solidarity contributions to the two nearest striking locals: OPSEU 351 at Fleming College and OPSEU 353 in Durham. TUFA’s Executive Director will be delivering these contributions to the picket lines this Thursday and available members are urged to show TUFA’s support by joining me at the following locations/times. Let us know if you’re coming and we’ll pack an extra flag!
- Picket at Fleming College, Sutherland Campus
599 Brealey Dr., Peterborough
Thursday September 25th
7:00 am to 8:00 am
- Picket at Durham College
2000 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa
Thursday September 25th
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
NB: Members are always welcome to sign out a TUFA banner and march to the sound of a picket line: it’s just like in those old PARTICIPACTION ads, but less awkwardly dated.
3. Petition against union-busting activities at Fleming College
Shockingly, the President of OPSEU Local 351 and other union activists at Fleming have faced a range of union-busting tactics including targeted lay-offs, reassignment, and unwarranted disciplinary actions. Please sign this petition to Fleming College’s Board of Governors demanding that the College respect the law, cease such illegitimate practices, and engage productively with faculty and staff through their unions.
4. Equity Committee support for Black Studies Specialization Launch
Interested members are encouraged to join TUFA’s Equity Committee at the launch of the Black Studies Specialization and the Black Life and Community Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) Lab at Trent’s GTA Campus in Oshawa. The event, sponsored in part by our Equity Committee, features activist and author, Desmond Cole, speaking on the continued relevance of Black Studies in Canada today.
Launch of the Black Studies Specialization and B.L.A.C.K. Lab
Building A, Atrium – Trent Durham/GTA Campus, Oshawa
Thursday, October 2
Noon to 3:00 pm
In Solidarity,
Marcus
—
Dr. Marcus Harvey,
Executive Director