March 30, 2019
Spring 2019 MMC By-Election Candidate Statements
Below are the candidate statements for the Spring 2019 Membership Mobilization Committee (MMC) Commissioner By-Election (three candidates). You will receive an emailed voting token. If you do not receive a token, or you believe you were sent one in error, please contact trustee@tssu.ca
Aicha Araba Etrew
Greetings to Everyone! Aicha Araba Etrew is my name. I am a graduate student of communication. I currently serve as the TSSU representative at the Graduate Student Council, and a member of the Membership Mobilization, and Occupational Health and Safety Committees of the TSSU.
With 8 years professional experience in policy research and advocacy, community development and event organizing within and across West Africa, I believe I have the requisite skills and thus more than pleased to volunteer to serve in the capacity of Commissioner for the Membership Mobilization Committee.
I believe there is strength in numbers, and in acting collectively we will achieve the prioritized needs of our membership. We are going into bargaining this year and we are being ambitious because our members deserve the best. To be more than successful will require each member to rally behind the executives.
I also recognize the work/studies stresses that we experience from time to time. A safe and secure work environment as well as a healthy mind cannot be underestimated. In this regard, membership outreach is one of my priorities. I seek to broaden the membership scope of the TSSU within the SFU community by introducing community bonding activities as part of effort to revitalize this great Union. This is to enable members to have a platform for work-life balance.
I do not intend to do this in isolation but instead work effectively with members, the Executive and all committees of the TSSU. I am looking forward to serve in the best interest of members of the TSSU, thank you.
Ladan Fathi
Dear TSSU members, I am Ladan Fathi and I am running for the position of Member Mobilization Committee (MMC) commissioner. I became involved with TSSU from 2017 when I joined the MMC and started playing an active role in many activities. The reason that I joined MMC was that I believe unions help to create workplace democracy with regulating standards that eventually benefit the workers, service receivers, and even the employees. I contend that MMC plays an important role in fulfilling the TSSU’s purposes since it has a direct connection with the members. I think this is not only a place to be involved in the community, but also a friendly environment for professional development, learning new things, and having new experiences. As my work with MMC, I was involved in data analysis, designing pamphlets, tabling and hosting events for TSSU, door knocking and informing the members, etc. I worked closely with my department’s Steward (Interactive Arts and Technology) to educate and engage other members as this is the main priority of the MMC. These valuable experiences made me more familiar with the importance of informing other members about their rights, led me to use my potentials, and learn new skills.
Considering that the bargaining process will start on April 3rd, mobilizing the members is a key component in reaching a better agreement. Therefore, MMC should act stronger and in its most organized way. As a result, If I become elected as the MMC commissioner my focus will be on:
It would be an honor for me to work closely with the executive members and other committees as the commissioner and I devote all my effort, skill, and attention to help the union.
In solidarity,
Ladan
Elly Habibullah
I am a first year MA student in Communication department and I have been a member of TSSU since I started my career in graduate school. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the school of Arts at SFU, so I believe my experience from two completely different schools of FCAT can be an asset for better undressing the school policies. My working experience in art and culture sector enables me to meet deadlines and manage tasks independently and as a group member. My goal is to support all Teaching Assistants, Tutor Markers and ELC/ITP instructors in Membership Mobilization Committee.
