RE: Union pickets interfere too much with students’ lives, March 22-28
The strike by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2424 has been “annoying.” For students commuting to Carleton, the long traffic lineups outside both the Bronson Avenue and Colonel By entrances have been frustrating. OC Transpo buses are unable to enter Carleton during peak hours, and there have been individual stories of students having issues with the strikers. None of these stories should be undermined, and should be listened to.
As we approach the end of the winter semester, 850 administrative, technical and support staff representing CUPE 2424 are still on strike. The CUPE 2424 strike has been “disruptive.” But simplifying the strike as simply being disruptive would be denying the actual meaning of their actions.
The collective agreement between the Carleton administration and CUPE 2424 is a document that goes over terms and conditions relating to hours of work, employee benefits and working conditions. The latest agreement expired on June 30, 2017, but the Carleton University administration wants to change the pension language in the collective agreement, along with language regarding the job evaluation process. The union is arguing this would limit their bargaining and protection rights, while also giving more power to the Carleton administration.
The Carleton University Academic Staff Association, the union representing the academic staff at Carleton, released an open letter on March 14 to the Board of Governors in support of CUPE 2424. Many other groups have also offered support, while also still addressing issues that sometime occur during strikes, such as lack of outreach, and individual incidents regarding strikers.
The lack of outreach from CUPE 2424 is not in an attempt to try to silence students’ outrage over the strike. Because CUPE 2424 is in a strike position, they are limited in what they can say, and as a result, the Carleton administration has a monopoly over communications with students.
But, what has the Carleton administration actually done for students?
The Board of Governors has had Senate meetings where they make decisions of “significant importance” to students and faculty. I managed to attend one these meetings last week, and the student representation was appalling, with less than five student representatives there. With the amount of power the Carleton administration has over its communication and public relations strategies, one would think they would do a better job providing these issues of “significant importance” to students.
While I can’t speak on behalf of all the 850 CUPE 2424 members, many of these workers have gone above and beyond for students. These are individuals I can actually put a face to, because they literally interact with students. They actually are the ones that hear and understand students’ needs, such as academic advisors and career centre support staff.
I can’t say the same about the Carleton administration.
Has the Carleton administration actually taken the time to interact with everyday students? On March 21, the Carleton Newsroom published a press release, saying they were “aware of the impact” that the strike was having on students. For students who have more than two-hour wait times at Health and Counselling Services, has the Carleton administration actually talked to any students suffering from mental and physical health issues?
I am tired of this CUPE 2424 strike. It has harmed students’ academics, affected accommodations, and limited services at Carleton.
But make no mistake—I am not blaming any of these 850 workers representing CUPE 2424. What I can’t say about any of the Carleton administration, is that these workers actually have taken the time for students. And honestly, if it takes longer for me to come to school because of this, I’ll suck it up and gladly do so.
Your move, Carleton.
