Month: November 2014
Clara
Maripier
CUPE 3902: Unit I strike vote
The union that represents me as a teaching assistant at the University of Toronto is holding a strike vote.
They are calling for more generous funding packages for TAs, increased health and childcare benefits, and a few other things. U of T is especially stingy when it comes to graduate funding packages. The standard package of $23,000 minus about $8,000 tuition (and assuming 210 hours of work as a TA) doesn’t cover the cost of living in Toronto, requiring most TAs to either borrow or do additional outside work.
I don’t know how I feel about the strike vote. I am pretty wary about unions in general (especially when it comes to public sector unions). That is because of how they often seem to defend particular interests as opposed to the general welfare, and often establish and perpetuate inequalities between ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’. I also don’t know what the prospects are for a strike actually improving TA pay at U of T.
Voting goes on until November 18th, so I will need to do some more thinking and decide before then.
Clara
Clara
Fossil fuel divestment march
More than 150 people showed up for the fossil fuel divestment march today, on campus at the University of Toronto.
Fence
Fossil fuel divestment discussion panel
Tonight I got some photos at a panel discussion on fossil fuel divestment, organized by Toronto350.org.
Remembrance Day
I got some photos at the Remembrance Day commemoration at Soldiers’ Tower and Hart House this morning.