In a Special General Assembly last night, the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill voted overwhelmingly in favour of a general, unlimited strike. Frustrated by seemingly fruitless talks with the administration, the labour union hopes that this show of solidarity will sway the administration and pave the way for viable progress. AGSEM has been in negotiations with the administration since October 2007, trying to piece together a new contract, with limited success.
In the end, 79 per cent of the 300 TAs that showed up for the three hour meeting voted to "give the mandate to the executive committee to start a general unlimited strike at the most opportune moment," according to the motion. Two-hundred and forty TAs voted for the strike and 63 voted against.
"This is one of the most important meetings in AGSEM's history," said AGSEM President Salim Ali. "Since working on all this, I have learned what education and commitment really mean."
Lydia Bourouiba, the bargaining representative for AGSEM, presented her report drawing upon concerns that AGSEM has had since beginning talks with the McGill administration last October including low wages, office space, sick leave and general teaching conditions.
AGSEM drew up a final draft of their proposals and submitted this to the university in September but did not receive a response until two months later.
"After two months of waiting for the proposal and innumerable cancellations, McGill promptly refused the vast majority of our demands," Bourouiba said.
According to AGSEM Vice-President External Natalie Kouri-Towe, opposition to the motion for a strike drew predominantly from a small number of TAs who focussed on their own experiences.
"Some people's main points were that their own personal conditions weren't bad. There were people with differing opinions about logistics, but mainly I think most of the opposition had to do with people thinking of their own conditions," said Kouri-Towe, who hoped to see this mandate affect change immediately.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Reina
posted 4/01/08 @ 9:23 PM EST
The best way to teach is by example.Most McGill rules center around fairness and wellbeing of all students.I think now is really the time to see if the statement"Charity begins at home" applies to the McGill administration. (Continued…)
Laura
posted 4/08/08 @ 2:51 PM EST
"According to AGSEM Vice-President External Natalie Kouri-Towe, opposition to the motion for a strike drew predominantly from a small number of TAs who focussed on their own experiences. (Continued…)
Post a Comment