BCIT faculty and staff vote in favour of strike

[Recon604]

Faculty and staff at the British Columbia Institute of Technology announced today that 78 per cent of voters favour a strike amid a labour dispute that has been going on since their last contract expired June 30, 2010.

Over the past three days 689 members cast ballots at BCIT’s Burnaby and downtown Vancouver campuses, according to a faculty and staff association news release.

“Better salaries and working conditions are needed to attract career-seasoned professionals from industries where wages have kept pace with inflation,” FSA executive director and chief negotiator Paul Reniers said in the release. “Fair wages will ensure that BCIT can hire and hold on to the kinds of professionals who built this important institution.”

The association represents over 1,400 BCIT employees ranging from instructors, researchers, librarians and counsellors to program advisors.

BCIT faculty and staff vote in favour of strike

[T4RAWR]

[Hondaracer]

Part-time instructors?
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[Redlines_Daily]

So they are striking to ensure higher quality of future employees? I think they just want more monies

That being said, as a BCIT alumni I know that the instructors are underpaid compared to what they could be making in their given industries. Most of the instructors I met are there because they enjoying teaching and want to give back. However, as post-secondary instructors who have many other job options available to them, I don't think they have any business striking. If they don't like what is offered, they can go back to work in their respective industries. Just my 2 cents

-J

[4444]

Originally Posted by Redlines_Daily

So they are striking to ensure higher quality of future employees? I think they just want more monies

That being said, as a BCIT alumni I know that the instructors are underpaid compared to what they could be making in their given industries. Most of the instructors I met are there because they enjoying teaching and want to give back. However, as post-secondary instructors who have many other job options available to them, I don't think they have any business striking. If they don't like what is offered, they can go back to work in their respective industries. Just my 2 cents

-J

Couldn't agree more, teaching at uni level (in my field) is a joke, and I've done it - they have no right striking, don't like it, lump it!

Years ago at Ubc the support staff strike really fucked me over, missed classes that were still being held as they blocked entrances (drove in), so I'm sorry if I have no sympathy, but students pay good money, so provide the service they paid for

Would love it for bcit to fuck over the union and rehire new ppl to replace, but we can't do that in communist Canada - unions are too powerful

[Fappin]

Does this mean there's no class until strike is over?

[Mr.HappySilp]

Hope part time class is still ok. I register for the 2013 winter semester.....

[StylinRed]

bcit sfu has been on strike for several days now limited strike that is

[parm104]

I doubt it will mean no class but it will probably mean cancelled tutorials and extra-services, services which students depend on.

It's a shame that these are the tactics these T.A.'s chose to portray their message. It hurts the students the most, who have no control over the situation. Actually, either way you look @ it, the students will be the ones who end up paying.

1. If you cancel tutorials and exams, then the students that have already paid for a semester's worth of tuition get screwed out of an education that was supposed to be given to them.

2. If the strike is successful, then next semester the students will have the wonderful opportunity to pay a higher tuition rate.

On a side note, I've known many lawyers who have gone back to SFU or Kwantlen to teach Criminal Law and they love it. But guess what, it didn't pay the bills, at least not to the lifestyle they wanted or were accustomed to. They made a choice to go back and practice in the private sector where they're able to make the money they want to make. Sacrifice one way or another, one hand you do what you are passionate about and love (teaching students) or on the other hand you make enough money to support a lifestyle you've chosen.

[hongy]

Originally Posted by parm104

I doubt it will mean no class but it will probably mean cancelled tutorials and extra-services, services which students depend on.

It's a shame that these are the tactics these T.A.'s chose to portray their message. It hurts the students the most, who have no control over the situation. Actually, either way you look @ it, the students will be the ones who end up paying.

1. If you cancel tutorials and exams, then the students that have already paid for a semester's worth of tuition get screwed out of an education that was supposed to be given to them.

2. If the strike is successful, then next semester the students will have the wonderful opportunity to pay a higher tuition rate.

My exam on tuesday is potentially pushed back a week, and missed 4 classes because of strikes already.

[parm104]

Originally Posted by hongy

My exam on tuesday is potentially pushed back a week, and missed 4 classes because of strikes already.

LOL that could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your situation. But also keep in mind, it's almost Christmas and if a delay is created in the system, it'll just end up being pushed further back into Christmas = less holidays

[nabs]

I feel bad for the ECET students, they already have only 2 days off for the holidays. They are the only ones left in the school during winter and spring breaks. This will royally screw them, especially for the ones in their last semester working on their final projects. This means that no outside class lab access.

[dlo]

last thing i want is my exams to be pushed back or missing class lol.....

[Hondaracer]

Originally Posted by Redlines_Daily

So they are striking to ensure higher quality of future employees? I think they just want more monies

That being said, as a BCIT alumni I know that the instructors are underpaid compared to what they could be making in their given industries. Most of the instructors I met are there because they enjoying teaching and want to give back. However, as post-secondary instructors who have many other job options available to them, I don't think they have any business striking. If they don't like what is offered, they can go back to work in their respective industries. Just my 2 cents

-J

I think the 8 weeks of holidays they get per year might be a factor in sticking around..
Posted via RS Mobile

[twstd_reality]

Originally Posted by Redlines_Daily

So they are striking to ensure higher quality of future employees? I think they just want more monies

That being said, as a BCIT alumni I know that the instructors are underpaid compared to what they could be making in their given industries. Most of the instructors I met are there because they enjoying teaching and want to give back. However, as post-secondary instructors who have many other job options available to them, I don't think they have any business striking. If they don't like what is offered, they can go back to work in their respective industries. Just my 2 cents

-J

I believe this also includes support staff and not just the instructors. You know, the people who clean up after you, the people who register you for courses, the people who you go to when you fail and have no idea what to do next, the people who fix your tweaked out PC.

As for the faculty, how great would it be to have an elementary school teacher teach me how to program a micro controller using assembly code, or some substitute from a temp agency showing me how to wire a 220 V 3 phase generator. I mean take it or get out right?

[Hondaracer]

i dunno personally i've taken a total of about 5 years of schooling through BCIT and of all those programs/courses, ive maybe had 4-5 teachers i thought actually cared about teaching?

the other seems to just grind out the day as best they can

[bing]

Originally Posted by Hondaracer

I think the 8 weeks of holidays they get per year might be a factor in sticking around..
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Although I can't comment too much on BCIT instructors since I have limited knowledge, if they could make more money in the private sector then what's stopping them?

However, at universities the situation is different because there are many privileges to being a professor: decent wages, tenure, sabbatical, and research.

With tenure, you pretty much have a job for life and it is next to impossible to fire you unless you screw up bad - you can air your political beliefs and values without getting fired.

Last I checked, wages are decent. My former profs (ranking from assistant to associate but excluding sessional instructors) made on average between 80-100k per year plus expenses (full professors ~115-125k), which I believe puts them in the top 5-6% of Canadian society. Of course, you do have to factor in the years it takes to get a ph.D, and the hard work and research it takes to get tenure in the first place.

They can also take a sabbatical every 7th year for study and they can have a research semester every year. I'd say they have it pretty good.

[Ax2-Y]

Originally Posted by 4444

Couldn't agree more, teaching at uni level (in my field) is a joke, and I've done it - they have no right striking, don't like it, lump it!

Years ago at Ubc the support staff strike really fucked me over, missed classes that were still being held as they blocked entrances (drove in), so I'm sorry if I have no sympathy, but students pay good money, so provide the service they paid for

Would love it for bcit to fuck over the union and rehire new ppl to replace, but we can't do that in communist Canada - unions are too powerful

you did read that they have been working without a contract since june 2010, right...? perhaps you should redirect your anger and ask why a fair contract (for both sides) has not been negotiated over the last two years. clearly the employees are unhappy with the way negotiations are proceeding as going on strike is always the last resort.

Also, i think you're trying to insult Canada as being socialist, not communist.

[FOREVER]

this means I must self-teach some more

[parm104]

Originally Posted by twstd_reality

I believe this also includes support staff and not just the instructors. You know, the people who clean up after you, the people who register you for courses, the people who you go to when you fail and have no idea what to do next, the people who fix your tweaked out PC.

As for the faculty, how great would it be to have an elementary school teacher teach me how to program a micro controller using assembly code, or some substitute from a temp agency showing me how to wire a 220 V 3 phase generator. I mean take it or get out right?

The strikes thus far have been TA's and support staff only...MOST Professors have not been in favour of the strikes thus far at the schools that are being affected by them.

I find it amusing that some people are acting like they don't pay tuition for their education...Implying that you don't want a elementary school teacher teaching you advanced electrical engineering...Well that's why you're paying a handsome tuition...It's so that you don't get an elementary school teacher teaching you something that he or she may not be qualified for.

Again, this strike is for SUPPORT STAFF ONLY...This does not involve teachers/professors/instructors. The 89% staff that voted in favour of strike were support staff only voting. That's why I mentioned earlier that tutorials may be cancelled and exams may be post-phoned because they are the ones who usually take care of those.

[bing]

^At SFU, the strike (limited action at the moment) is only support staff including TAs but a number of profs have signed an open letter of support for the TSSU (union).

http://bargaining.tssu.ca/wp-content...y-Support1.pdf

And some of the classes have been cancelled by the profs themselves refusing to cross picket lines when they are held for reasons of conscience, which is allowed under the university act.

[4444]

Originally Posted by Ax2-Y

you did read that they have been working without a contract since june 2010, right...? perhaps you should redirect your anger and ask why a fair contract (for both sides) has not been negotiated over the last two years. clearly the employees are unhappy with the way negotiations are proceeding as going on strike is always the last resort.

Also, i think you're trying to insult Canada as being socialist, not communist.

Contract, such communist talk (and to me, socialist is communist, I do know the difference... Both are too left), fuck unions, fuck ppl who work for unions

And yes, I'm waiting for fails from union losers and bleeding heart lefties - fail away, it's the internet

[GabAlmighty]

Hahahahaha, suckers. My school's still good to go and all the profs be happy

[parm104]

Originally Posted by 4444

...it's the internet...

[twstd_reality]

Originally Posted by parm104

The strikes thus far have been TA's and support staff only...MOST Professors have not been in favour of the strikes thus far at the schools that are being affected by them.

I find it amusing that some people are acting like they don't pay tuition for their education...Implying that you don't want a elementary school teacher teaching you advanced electrical engineering...Well that's why you're paying a handsome tuition...It's so that you don't get an elementary school teacher teaching you something that he or she may not be qualified for.

Again, this strike is for SUPPORT STAFF ONLY...This does not involve teachers/professors/instructors. The 89% staff that voted in favour of strike were support staff only voting. That's why I mentioned earlier that tutorials may be cancelled and exams may be post-phoned because they are the ones who usually take care of those.

Exactly. If I am going to drop 15K on schooling I want to learn from the best, not someone who is just there to fill the role, or worse, have my courses cancelled because they couldn't find anyone to teach.

And the article says "faculty and staff". Where's your info from?