On November 15, 2019, Simon Fraser University and the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) agreed to make research assistants (RAs) employees of the University and voluntarily recognize them as members of TSSU. This agreement was made to recognize the valuable contributions and important role RAs play in advancing SFU’s Research mission. It was signed by Sandi de Domenico, SFU’s Associate Vice-President, Human Resources, and Derek Sahota, TSSU’s Member Advocate on behalf of the Research is Work organizing team, and was endorsed by Jeff Derksen, Dean and Associate Provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, SFU, Joy Johnson, Vice-President, Research and International; Dugan O’Neil, Associate Vice-President, Research, SFU, and Jonathan Driver, Vice President Academic and Provost pro tem, SFU. SFU and TSSU have

Looking to become more involved with your union? Consider running for an Executive position! Nominations for the Fall 2019 election cycle are currently being accepted for the positions of Chief Steward I, Coordinator, Chair, Membership Mobilization Committee (MMC) Commissioner, Occupational Health & Safety Committee (OH&S) Commissioner, and Trustee I. All positions are open to any member in good standing and training is provided. Nominations close at the end of the October 24, 2019 General Membership Meeting. Come meet the candidates on Oct 31, 4:30 – 6pm, at GSS Lounge (MBC 2212)! There will be snacks and drinks! Please see the following documents for more information! Please contact trustees@tssu.ca if you have any questions!

Application are now open for the TSSU Childcare Fund!All TSSU members with children who apply will receive a disbursement — amounts are calculated on age & work status. Apply here: https://esas.its.sfu.ca/faa/childcare For full details, including important information on why amounts are lower this semester than in previous semesters — see our childcare benefits page HERE.

Good news TSSU members, your union is hosting a full day of FREE workshops this summer. Come enjoy some free food, meet your fellow colleagues, and learn some new skills! When? Thursday, June 20th 9:30-5:00Where? Harbour Centre, Room 1315 Want more info? Check out our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/458850374852593/ Register Here! Space is limited! https://forms.gle/efwZmPiMfDkMSGE49

Join us for a combined Special General Meeting & Stewards Meeting on Thursday, April 4th, 2:30-4:30 pm in SWH10051. All members are welcome and we will have free coffee, dinner & snacks (as usual)! Items on the agenda are to ratify the hiring of our new Assistant Organizer, an interactive activity for mobilizing members, and a report back on the first day of bargaining. See you there!

We currently have two Executive positions open for by-election: Trustee II and Membership Mobilization Committee (MMC) Commissioner. Positions are open to any TSSU member in good standing and are stipended. The nomination period runs from today, March 21, 2019 to next Thursday, March 28, 2019. To nominate yourself, complete the attached nomination form and return to trustee@tssu.ca by March 28, 2019.In addition, nominees may submit a brief candidate statement to trustee@tssu.ca by March 29, 2019. Trustee II  (By-Law E.2.4) (term from April 2019-March 2020)Stipended at $360/semesterDuties include (See By-Law E.2.4 for more details): Ensuring that the TSSU By-Laws are adhered to and keeping these same By-Laws up-to-date Ensuring that proper procedures are adhered to at GMs in accordance with Bourinot’s rules Overseeing the work done by Executive Members and