July 18, 2023
The collective agreement between SFU and the teaching support staff union (TSSU) expired on April 30, 2022 and bargaining a new agreement has reached an impasse. This has led TSSU to start a strike as a legal tool to get SFU back to the bargaining table without demanding concessions that will hurt TSSU members.
Depending on how things progress in bargaining and how your professors, department leaders, and SFU leadership respond to strike actions, your classes and the release of grades might be impacted.
What can I do to cover my bases before things heat up?
- GET INFORMED: learn more about what is going on and make an informed decision about where you stand on the issue:
- CHECK IN WITH YOUR INSTRUCTORS: each Instructor may do something different, so check in with them about their plans if there are picket lines blocking your classroom.
- COMMUNICATE YOUR INTENTIONS: tell your instructor what your intention is if the class is behind a picket line. If a class is going ahead, and you won’t cross the line, but you let your instructor know in advance, you should have time and the opportunity to plan ahead to arrange academic concessions (if the professor is willing). If you have to challenge the situation, you are on much firmer ground to appeal grades, apply for a Withdrawal Due to Extenuating Circumstances, or otherwise seek redress for academic harm for refusing to cross a picket line if needed.
I still have questions! Who do I contact?
