Update on TSSU Strike Activity and Bargaining
This message is sent on behalf of Yabome Gilpin-Jackson, vice-president, people, equity, inclusion, to faculty and staff.
I am writing with a general update on strike action activities this week, and in particular, picket line activity on June 15.
We expect everyone at SFU to be respectful towards one another, despite differing views or opinions.
The University has received reports from members of the community concerned about inappropriate picket line activity, including harassment and intimidation. These activities are not acceptable and not representative of our SFU community’s expectations around respect and personal safety.
The University has shared these concerns of behaviour on picket lines with the Teaching Support Staff Union and we are committed to working towards a resolution.
I recognize that labour disputes can heighten emotions.
If you experience or witness an incident of inappropriate behaviour please complete the Strike Incident Report Form and send it to safe@sfu.ca.
If you are feeling impacted by recent activities, there are resources and supports available to you:
- Faculty and staff can access the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
- Students can connect with SFU Health and Counselling and MySSP for 24/7 mental health support.
- All SFU faculty, staff and students can get support from SFU’s Bullying and Harassment Central Hub.
- As always, Campus Public Safety’s emergency line is available for immediate 24/7 support: 778-782-4500. Safewalk is also available 24 hours a day, dial 778-782-7991 for assistance or to make non-urgent reports.
We are committed to keeping you informed on bargaining progress. A summary of this week’s activities is available on the Collective Bargaining website.
During any strike action period you can rely on the following channels for information:
- For urgent updates, including the locations of any planned picket activity, visit www.sfu.ca/alerts
- For General Bargaining Updates, please see the Collective Bargaining Central Hub.
- Other time-sensitive and urgent information will be shared directly via email to all faculty and staff when it is required.
Thank you for all that you do.
Sincerely,
Yabome Gilpin-Jackson, PhD
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Vice-President, People, Equity, Inclusion
Simon Fraser University