Bargaining updates

Earlier this week, the university shared an update on the status of negotiations with TSSU regarding the Research Assistant (RA) variation to their trade union certification.

On November 18th, SFU and the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) resumed negotiations for Research Assistants (RAs) whose duties are considered employment under the provincial labour code.

Simon Fraser University is committed to becoming a living wage employer, and the university has worked tirelessly to negotiate a new collective agreement that pays TSSU members a living wage. Despite SFU’s continued efforts, TSSU has withdrawn from mediation at the BC Labour Relations Board (LRB).

SFU is taking steps to become a living wage employer for all employees. This will include adding a Living Wage requirement to contracts so that contracted workers in food services, cleaning and other services are guaranteed a living wage by their employers.

Earlier this week, Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) conducted a strike vote, announcing a vote outcome in favour of a strike. It is important to note that the strike vote does not mean that the TSSU is currently on strike.

The Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) has conducted their strike vote and have announced a vote outcome in favour of strike. It is important to note that the strike vote does not yet mean that the TSSU is currently on strike.

Throughout 2023, SFU will be in active negotiation with each of the university’s employee groups. This is an important time as the university, employee groups and negotiators work together to address monetary proposals in alignment with the Public Sector mandate and non-monetary requests for each employee group.

This work is a priority for SFU, and the university is hopeful that a final agreement can be reached with the TSSU early in the new year.

This fall, SFU and the TSSU resumed collective bargaining following the September 15th arbitration decision from Arbitrator Jim Dorsey, meeting on three occasions: September 22nd, 23rd and October 26th.

On September 13, 2022, Arbitrator Dorsey issued their decision regarding the definition of research assistants for inclusion in the TSSU going forward.

Simon Fraser University will begin taking steps to become a Living Wage Employer, furthering its commitment to improve equity and inclusion for working members of the SFU community.

On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, SFU tabled a monetary proposal that sets out a competitive minimum hourly rate for Research Assistants working at the university