April 28th, 2014

Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) members as well as other workers and students here at Simon Fraser University are being exposed to unsafe levels of toxic mould in the Education Building on the Burnaby campus. The Teaching Support Staff Union is conducting a mould awareness event on May 5^th to pressure Simon Fraser University and the BC Liberal Government to comply with health and safety laws. This is being done in conjunction with April 28th, the National Day of Mourning for those that have been hurt and killed on the job.

Addressing the mould issue, Melissa Roth, the TSSU’s Organizer has stated, “Even though some of our members have reported adverse health effects from working in the Education Building during this time, the Union has not received any official communications in 1.5 years as to the extent of the problem.”

Ms. Roth further comments in reference to SFU’s poor communication on the issue, “We are disappointed but determined to solve this problem to ensure that our workers have a safe work environment in the future.”

TSSU represents over 2500 Sessional Instructors, Teaching Assistants, Tutor Markers and ELC/ITP Instructors. These teachers provide the majority of face to face instruction and grading at Simon Fraser University.

The collective agreement between SFU and TSSU expires on April 30th, 2014. TSSU remains concerned that SFU continues to refuse to communicate with TSSU over these health and safety issues.

For further information:

Melissa Roth
TSSU Organizer
organizer(at)tssu.ca