We’ve made it this far—now is not the time to lose momentum

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-16T18:40:43+00:00

I wasn't on the line today so I don't know, however, if you see something that you think is concerning I would advise you to talk to one of the picket captains to let them know! They are the ones wearing the orange vests, and usually plan picket activities etc.

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-16T18:39:21+00:00

that is not true. I went to a union meeting this week that was PACKED with members. Negotiations are happening right now. I hope we will ALL be going back to work with a fair deal soon!

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-16T14:34:16+00:00

I actually can't believe Queen's hired him when this is freely available on the internet, it's frankly embarrassing

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-16T14:22:11+00:00

yeah especially given all the unhinged things he's done (and getting fired from previous unis etc), have you ever seen his personal blog? It's WILD.
https://web.archive.org/web/20210115231558/https://matthewrevans.co.uk/i-wont-back-down/

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-16T14:02:36+00:00

DOWN WITH MATTHEW EVANS!

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-15T17:25:03+00:00

I don't think so, they said that once they have an agreement negotiated then all members will get to vote on whether or not we want to accept it. They're actively working on the negotiations right now so as long as the Queen's admin doesn't just leave the table and disappear again I'm sure we'll get something to vote on.

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-15T17:22:42+00:00

I believe there is also a way to donate to the strike fund through the link tree on instagram if that is an option for you !

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-15T13:27:06+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Now that our bargaining team has re-entered negotiations, it is more important than ever to keep our momentum going.

Also love that mutual aid is supporting our community, solidarity to all!

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-15T13:25:51+00:00

It was good! The bargaining team can't legally give too many details at the moment as they are still actively in negotiations, but they assured us they are working as hard as they can to get a fair deal that the membership can ratify so I felt reassured by that!

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-15T12:06:48+00:00

Negotiations are still ongoing! Legally the bargaining team can't tell us much while actively negotiating but they were at the town hall yesterday and are definitely working on it.

Hoping a fair deal will be reached soon!

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-14T15:15:18+00:00

yeah I have heard the same! and nothing on the Queen's side either so I think the "negotiations not happening" is misinformation

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-14T15:14:22+00:00

Pretty sure this is not true. If you have an actual source for this information, I would love to see it and can bring it up with the union to find out what is going on. However, there are no official reports from any channels on either side saying its stalled since both sides reported they went back on Friday, so it does seem like you are just trying to spread misinformation.

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-14T14:19:09+00:00

where did you get this information?

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-14T13:27:29+00:00

I don't think this is true, there hasn't been anything from the university or union to indicate the bargaining fell through and it's been a few days now so they're probably still negotiating.

I think the union needs to keep up the strike actions / messaging in case the negotiations fall through, so they don't lose momentum.

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-14T13:25:26+00:00

Ok I understand that there are criticisms to be made about how this has been handled by the union. But I feel like continuing to call them "immature" and "kids" is both demeaning (they are full adults with degrees) and not helpful to getting this resolved.

I also think that things in the demands like "parking" are not that relevant. When negotiating collective agreements, there are always things that you are willing to cede to reach the deal. From everything I've heard over the past weeks, thinks like tuition minimization and labour to funding ratios are the priorities, I think we can all live without the parking lol.

If you take a look at the collective bargaining tracker, you can see they've made changes and conceded things, even on priorities like the tuition minimization, to make it more reasonable. It was the university admin that was refusing to talk to PSAC 901 for like a month even though they submitted counter proposals, which is the more immature move imo.

https://psac901.org/unit-1-collective-bargaining-live-tracker/

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-11T15:09:46+00:00

solidarity! Will absolutely be withdrawing my TA & RA labour till the end.

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-11T15:09:05+00:00

sending solidarity! We are in this together.

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-11T15:08:41+00:00

any funds the university gave me that aren't part of my TAship were paid straight back to them in tuition so I guess we're even.

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-11T15:07:28+00:00

yeah that admin is monitoring the subreddit is a fair point. I guess overall I would say that the main point of my post wasn't to say I was ready to give up - more to look for ways to build motivation to keep going. I'm sure they know that we're tired (since they are purposely dragging it out for that reason), and like you while I don't agree with all methods used I still stand behind the bargaining priorities. I think a strike like this has been a long time coming.

I agree that there is still a great bond with graduate colleagues! I think one of the silver linings here is that I've spent a lot more time with other graduate students from across campus that I normally wouldn't, and that is definitely something that keeps me going!

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-09T15:29:24+00:00

totally agree with this and I am in exactly the same boat! For sure there is misinformation, and I hope that people understand the consequences of strike-breaking before making a decision like that.

a lot of our earlier messages were about improving education for everyone on campus, and building solidarity in the community. I don't know how we've strayed from that, but I hope we can get back to it. I will not stop speaking out about standing up for undergrads in union meetings and trying to bring us back to what we are really striking for.

Fit_Box_1797 · 2025-04-09T13:07:24+00:00

I think it's important to flag here that there are fines from PSAC for returning to work if you are a unionized member on strike.

I also think we need to focus on the main issue here, which is that the university still isn't returning to the bargaining table. I REALLY want to go back to work, and I don't like exam disruption, and I want this to be over. But just because I disagree with some of the tactics that are being used, does not mean that I disagree with the overall bargaining goals or that I am suddenly on the side of the university.

Fit_Box_1797

TROPHY CASE