TSSU strike action continues October 10-13 

The Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) has shared that they will continue strike action this coming week. This includes a teaching work stoppage at all campuses, meaning that they will not hold classes, tutorials or labs, invigilate exams, grade or correspond with students at any campus or online. Please note this work stoppage does not include Research Assistants as they are not certified members of TSSU.

TSSU has also announced plans to picket Burnaby campus next week from Tuesday, October 10 to Friday, October 13. At this time, TSSU has not indicated the locations of pickets or if they plan to picket at other campuses. While the university will be open, there may be disruptions to scheduled activities due to picketing. Any campus-wide updates will be posted on sfu.ca and X (Twitter). 

The university and TSSU bargained twice last week, making some progress toward an agreement within the Public Sector Bargaining Mandate. The university is committed to remaining at the bargaining table with TSSU so that an agreement can be reached as soon as possible, and is exploring other ways to accelerate negotiation, including inviting the union to mediation. TSSU has agreed to a mediation process and the parties are working together to agree on a mediator. 

In light of this progress, SFU asked TSSU to pause the work stoppage and picket lines while the parties finalize an agreement via bargaining and/or mediation – this request was declined. Bargaining is now scheduled to continue on Wednesday, October 11 and Thursday, October 12.  

We are very sorry for the continued impact this is having on everyone. We care deeply about our community and recognize the disruptions that this labour action has had on our students, faculty, and staff, as well as TSSU members. We want our students to have the support that they need, and for TSSU members and others to be able to do the great work that they do.  

We continue to work to reduce impacts and will continue to keep our community up to date with the latest information about the current bargaining status with TSSU which you can find here.  

Important Information Regarding Research Assistants 

Research Assistants at SFU are not certified under the labour code as represented by the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) and are therefore not on strike. While some RAs may choose not to cross picket lines in solidarity with TSSU, they are not included in the formal teaching work stoppage by TSSU members. 

Reminders about picket lines  

The right to respect a picket line is legal, as is the decision to enter a picketed building. Your union may have a bylaw that applies to members with regards to pickets and job action. Please speak with your union representative for guidance if you have questions. Please also refer to SFU’s Bargaining and Strike FAQs and GP-05 – Strike Policy.  

Please note that if pickets are taking place at one campus, it is not considered crossing a picket line to attend another campus. All SFU campuses are open and accessible to faculty, staff and students who wish to enter picketed buildings, this includes all access points and parking lots.  

If you plan to respect the picket line, please:   

• Check in with your union or APSA representative for guidance. 
• Notify your dean or supervisor about your intention as soon as possible. 
• Communicate with your students about if and how picket lines will affect classes and let them know your intention and expectations. 
• Be aware that faculty and staff who respect a picket line and do not report to work will not be paid for the time missed.  
• Read the Collective Bargaining FAQs for more information about your rights and responsibilities during a strike.  

If you plan to enter a picketed building, please:   

• Remain calm and respectful and avoid confrontation.  
• Consider alternative entrances and buddy up with a colleague as you enter and exit the building. 
• Expect banners, noise, and cameras – picketers may photograph you if you enter the building or engage with the picket line. 
• Be aware that picketers cannot physically prevent you from entering a building.  
• Picketers may ask you to support them by joining the picket. It is your choice to engage or respond to requests from picketers. 

If you have difficulty accessing campus during strike action, please submit a Strike Incident Report Form.    

Learn more about bargaining and strike action by visiting the Collective Bargaining FAQs.