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Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Founded in 1965 and located in Burnaby, British Columbia, SFU had a reputation as a "radical campus" in its early years. It is home to the Teaching Support Staff Union, formed in 1978 and one of the earliest unions of postsecondary teaching support staff in North America. The Vancouver Women's Caucus, which began its life as an SFU student club, was instrumental in organizing fights for childcare that benefitted women workers across in the province. SFU no longer has a reputation for radicalism; however, workers on campus continue to engage in campaigns for justice.

Worker justice campaigns at SFU

Contract Worker Justice

The Contract Worker Justice campaign seeks to bring contracted-out employees, typically food-service and cleaning staff, in-house. This will bring these workers better wages, job security, and benefits.

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Research is Work Campaign

The Research is Work campaign has unionized research assistants from across the university, and is currently bargaining for a first collective agreement, seeking fair wages, benefits, and transparency for these workers.

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Living Wage Campaign

After ten years of worker advocacy, in July 2022, SFU committed to becoming a Living Wage Employer, and to including contract workers in its provision for living wages; however, SFU does not currently plan to bring contract workers in-house.

Living Wage Research Report, 2013

Affiliated members

Mark Leier

Kayla Charchuk

 

Labour Unions at SFU

The University Works Because We Do!