January 22, 2025

Reflecting TSSU’s commitment to its values of feminism, solidarity, and our role in connected struggle, TSSU has passed a motion to adopt the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) policy.  An overwhelming majority of 74% of our membership voted in a referendum in October 2024 to adopt the policy which was subsequently ratified during the TSSU’s General Meeting held on 5th November 2024.

The motion resulted from months of dialogue, education, and engagement amongst our membership. A recurring theme that emerged through this process was that endorsing the BDS campaign aligns with the union's principles of opposing systemic discrimination and promoting international solidarity with oppressed communities worldwide.

TSSU stands in solidarity with the struggle of Palestinian workers and people. We, as unionized workers, recognize that we have a role to play in resisting the State of Israel’s persistent violation of Palestinians’ human rights through a system of apartheid and continued occupation of Palestinian land captured since 1967. 

SFU’s continued investment in companies whose technology is used in the genocide of the Palestinian peoples highlights the need for TSSU to adopt our resolution. These investments have been maintained despite protests by students, staff and faculty against the university’s practices. Recently, it has further come to light, through the SFU Faculty for Palestine, that SFU senior administration conducted a meeting with the Israeli ambassador to Canada. These actions highlight that despite its insistence, SFU is not “non-sectarian” and “non-political” when it comes to normalizing genocide.

TSSU supports the goal of the BDS movement that the State of Israel meets its obligation to recognize the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and fully comply with the precepts of international law.

To achieve these goals, the TSSU will take the following actions: 

1. Boycott Israeli products and products produced by companies involved in the violation of human rights in Palestine, as well as complicit sporting, cultural and academic institutions; 

2. Divest from any Israeli or non-Israeli company, bank, fund, university, or any institution participating in the oppression of Palestinians;

3. Urge the Canadian government and other authorities to enact Sanctions against Israel and fulfil its legal obligation to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law. 

We further call on Simon Fraser University, campus student societies, the broader labour movement, and our members to take equivalent actions to support the BDS Movement. As a union of academic workers, we urge parties to:

1. End all collaborations with Israeli Universities and academic institutions 

2. End investments in BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, CAE Inc., and other companies identified by the BDS movement. 

3. End investments in all businesses that are illegally settled on Palestinian lands under Israeli control, as already identified by the UN.

Although the recent reports of a ceasefire from January 19th is encouraging, the goals of the BDS movement will not be fulfilled without ending the State of Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land and its apartheid policies. As such, TSSU will continue to comply with it’s own BDS policy and escalate pressure to ensure a complete end to the genocide For more information about the TSSU policy on BDS, visit https://www.tssu.ca/wp-content/uploads/TSSU_Bylaws_13Dec2024.pdf

Exam season in full swing, and we know that the marking crunch is on! To help lighten the load, we're hosting several Marking Parties this week. Join your colleagues, tackle your marking, and enjoy some snacks and beverages while you're at it.

Here are the details for the three events that will be happening:

All TSSU Members Welcome

• Tuesday, December 10 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm in BLU 10031 (Burnaby Campus)

TSSU Members from the Faculty of Communication, Art, and Technology

• Wednesday, December 11 from 10:00 to 3:00 pm in SFU Harbour Centre Room 2200 (Vancouver Campus)

TSSU Members from the Education Department

• Friday, December 13 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm in the Education Review Room (Burnaby Campus)

We look forward to seeing you at one of these events!

If you would like to host a Marking Party in your faculty or department, please get in contact with your Departmental Steward or email organizer@tssu.ca.

The Contract Committee is returning to the bargaining table to secure the first Collective Agreement for RAs! We would greatly appreciate your help spreading the word to members in your department, attending bargaining sessions, and encouraging others to join as well.

We will begin to bargain substantial issues that are important to RAs, including maternity/parental leave, healthcare and dental benefits, vacation, scheduling changes, and more. Your presence at these sessions will demonstrate to the Employer that RAs are actively fully engaged in this process and are committed to getting their Collective Agreement now.

Our scheduled bargaining sessions will be held next week on the Burnaby campus as follows: 

• November 18 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm in ASB 10704
• November 19 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm in ASB 10704
• November 20 from 9:00 to 1:00 pm in ASB 10704

We hope to see you there! As always, coffee, snacks, and t-shirts will be available to members who attend bargaining sessions.