Students at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia are facing uncertainty this week as teaching support staff threaten to go on strike starting Thursday.

According to a media release from the SFU Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) on Tuesday, approximately 1,600 teaching staff members are planning to initiate an “indefinite work stoppage” on September 28. The union members will begin rolling and escalating pickets across the school’s three campuses. Dalton Kamish, a teaching assistant and communications PhD candidate, expressed concern about the erosion of the university’s foundation and stated that most members of the union are graduate students struggling to meet basic needs such as rent, groceries, and medications. Kamish emphasized that without the support staff, there would be no SFU.

The TSSU claims that its members provide up to 50% of the instruction at the university on a daily basis and have been working without a contract for 19 months. The union is demanding a cost-of-living wage adjustment, a pay model that takes into account larger class sizes and expanded duties, as well as increased job stability and security.

In response, SFU stated that it has held three meetings with the union in the past week, proposing a contract that addresses key issues important to both parties. However, the university claims that the union refused the proposed agreement and rejected any progress on essential matters. SFU also mentioned that it has offered the maximum allowable general wage increases permitted under the Province’s Shared Recovery Mandate, which governs collective bargaining in the public sector.

While the strike remains imminent, its impact on students is expected to be significant. SFU announced that in the event of a strike, teaching support staff would not conduct classes, tutorials, or labs, supervise exams, grade assignments, or communicate with students. Furthermore, picket lines would hinder other unionized employees from entering school premises. Plans for rotating pickets have been announced for Thursday at SFU’s Surrey Campus, Friday at SFU’s Vancouver Campus, and next Tuesday at SFU’s Burnaby Campus.

In light of these developments, the university is urging faculty members to promptly inform their students about potential disruptions caused by picket lines, as well as their intentions and expectations. The exact timeline for negotiations to resume is currently unknown. SFU has expressed its desire for the union to continue meeting twice a week, but the TSSU leadership has not responded or agreed to future dates.

In conclusion, the looming strike at Simon Fraser University presents a significant challenge for students and the institution as a whole. The disagreement between the university and the teaching support staff union over wages, job security, and other key issues has created uncertainty and potential disruption to the academic environment. Further negotiations are necessary to reach a resolution and ensure the welfare and educational experience of the university’s students.