Below is a spontaneous testimonial from one of our signatories, expressing their views on why unionization is important.
About unionization. Look, I get it. I want to do my research, a research driven by intellectual curiosity. I want to continue to teach and supervise engaged students in the way I see fit. But since I’ve been here, I’ve experienced decreased TA support that’s forced me to downgrade my pedagogical goals. I’ve been burdened with arbitrary changes in what software I can use. I’ve been subject to increased paperwork to get expenses reimbursed and submit grants. I must deal with ever changing shifts in support staff configurations.
While in MAUT I’ve seen firsthand the breakdown in collegiality from the administration; they want us to trust them but they’ve shown less and less trust in us. And now I’m threatened by austerity, and all the while McGill is spending untold amounts of money on various consultants, who’ll further cut my support.
Unions are no panacea. They won’t magically solve the asbestos rampant in our buildings. They won’t dramatically increase our pay to match UBC or U of T. But they will give me greater control over my working environment. That’s why I joined the unionization effort in Science.
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