CUPE 4600, the union representing contract instructors and teaching assistants at Carleton University, sent an open letter to Carleton president Roseann Runte on July 29 condemning the dismissal of Hassan Diab, a sociology instructor accused of being involved in the 1980 bombing of a synagogue in Paris.
In the letter, CUPE said they are "alarmed that he was fired after he had already commenced his contract to teach SOCI 1002."
CUPE also said that they are concerned that Diab’s firing goes against the collective agreement between the union and the university.
According to the letter, CUPE is concerned that Carleton’s actions will cause people to pre-judge Diab as an accused.
“The obvious ramifications of your action in this instance is that you have already [pre-judged], even if you believe that you are acting in the best interest of the university,” the letter said.
The letter comes after Carleton dismissed Diab July 28 following media attention regarding his teaching assignment and a public condemnation from Jewish advocacy group B’nai Brith Canada.
For the full story, see the print edition of the Charlatan on July 30.