We wish to express solidarity with our friends at CUPE 3338  at SFU who have given their 72 hour strike notice. Below is a description of their first job action this Thursday October 4th.  As their job action unfolds in the coming days and weeks, we ask that members please respect any picket lines or demonstrations they may come across. Remember to watch your email carefully for announcements of TSSU’s further job action.

TSSU members are asked to respect any and all picket lines, and to not cross them for the purpose of working.  However, if as a student it becomes necessary to go into a location that is being picketed, you should ask to speak to the Picket Captain (each picket line will have someone playing this role).  Explain to the captain that you are supporting them, but that it is necessary for you to enter in order to fulfill your responsibilitiies as a student.  It is not CUPE’s intention to limit you from fulfilling your Graduate Student responsibilities.  The picket line is intended to ensure that no paid work is carried out in the buildings being picketed, as opposed to work integral to your studies.  Both CUPE and TSSU face the same intransigent employer.  Solidarity is our most important tool to achieving a fair contract without a full scale work stoppage.

On Thursday, October 4th at 12:01 p.m. CUPE 3338 will institute an overtime ban.  Concurrently they will be removing services from, and picketing, the Maggie Benson Centre and the WAC Bennett Library Building until 3:00 p.m.  All of the CUPE 3338 members in the buildings will be leaving their work site and participating in a SILENT PROTEST picket line at the edge of the Mall along the two buildings.  The picketers will not engage in debate, and will be respectful of students, guests and staff.  They will let their picket signs speak for them.  This is a legal strike.