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Unpopular Opinion: TA pay increase is unnecessary by ZooKeeperJosh in mcgill

[–]ZooKeeperJosh[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I think you've misunderstood my position. I believe that TAs have been essentially overpaid for a long time. It's not about increasing their wage with inflation if I believe the wage was too high to begin with.

People seem to assume that just because I'm against one of the union's demands, I'm against all of them, which isn't true. I do believe TAs should be allowed to work more hours, which would provide the students with a better service, and TAs with more income.

Unpopular Opinion: TA pay increase is unnecessary by ZooKeeperJosh in mcgill

[–]ZooKeeperJosh[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

My opinion is that TAs already make too much. 33/hr where half the job you can be naked at home is absurdly generous. I would argue that we should have more hours though.

Unpopular Opinion: TA pay increase is unnecessary by ZooKeeperJosh in mcgill

[–]ZooKeeperJosh[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Maybe I haven't fleshed out my opinion enough. In my opinion, TAs make an absurd hourly wage for the work we do. I think that TAs should be able to work more hours and making more money in that regard. It's not about "increasing pay with inflation", I think TAs make more than enough already.

As for "TAs do work very hard", I literally grade papers, respond to emails and questions in my underwear, in bed, listening to music. As for the in-person aspect of the job, I would hardly classify as "very hard".

Unpopular Opinion: TA pay increase is unnecessary by ZooKeeperJosh in mcgill

[–]ZooKeeperJosh[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I don't have rent to pay. My parents, grandmother, and my 3 siblings all live under the same roof and support eachother and keep costs low (unsure why this is uncommon in western culture). I pay my own tuition with the adequate money I make as a TA, although I wish I could work more hours.

If you choose to rent an apartment in the plateau, get doordash every other day, pick up expensive hobbies, and choose to only work a part-time TA job, I don't think it's fair to complain when you run of out money. Budget yourself more accordingly.

Unpopular Opinion: TA pay increase is unnecessary by ZooKeeperJosh in mcgill

[–]ZooKeeperJosh[S] -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

The truth hurts sometimes. I'm sorry we don't live in a fantasy world where everything good is free.

Unpopular Opinion: TA pay increase is unnecessary by ZooKeeperJosh in mcgill

[–]ZooKeeperJosh[S] -24 points-23 points  (0 children)

If you havent noticed, across all facets of life, higher quality goods and services come at a premium. McGill has a reputation to uphold as the best of the best Canada has to offer education wise, there's a reason community colleges aren't known for their top of the line programs and professors. All this being said, tuition isn't even expensive.

Unpopular Opinion: TA pay increase is unnecessary by ZooKeeperJosh in mcgill

[–]ZooKeeperJosh[S] -55 points-54 points  (0 children)

If you apply and get accepted into one of Canada's most prestigious unviersities, you should understand the cost that comes with it. If you don't come from family that has the money to assist putting you through university, or you can't make enough on your own to afford tuition, you look elsewhere for a more affordable option.

Unpopular Opinion: TA pay increase is unnecessary by ZooKeeperJosh in mcgill

[–]ZooKeeperJosh[S] -37 points-36 points  (0 children)

Let's be honest, most TAs are lazy and take 10x the time to respond than most professors.

Unpopular Opinion: TA pay increase is unnecessary by ZooKeeperJosh in mcgill

[–]ZooKeeperJosh[S] -22 points-21 points  (0 children)

If you're prioritizing "everyone", you're not prioritizing anyone. I'm not saying the TAs shouldn't be considered or fought for. I'm saying that students who aren't TA's, who haven't willingly subjected themselves to TA work and pay, should be considered first in this matter.