Daily Bulletin, September 3
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Two Weeks Later: Who Makes Dalhousie Work?
Our previous newsletter was dedicated to what would have been the first day of classes for many of us, but today marks two full weeks of lockout.
The DFA Executive, Bargaining Team, and the entire Job Action Committee want to thank all of you for your efforts over these two weeks. Over 1000 members, across multiple campuses (and provinces–we see you NB colleagues!) organized themselves across more than two dozen picket lines, three separate HQs, and in virtual duties (see the update from colleagues Asha Jeffers and Martha Radice!).
And while preparations had been ongoing beforehand, we should remember that all of you put all of that into action on two days’ notice after President Brooks made her incomprehensible decision to lock us out while we were voting on the Board’s offer.
In these two weeks, we’ve shown by our organization and action that we make Dalhousie work. What has the administration and board done in that time? They’ve refused to talk, and until the last moment they refused to tell students the truth about the effects their lockout would have on term. In other words, they seem to have done everything in their power to show they have no idea what it takes to lead an institution.
As Nadine Ezzeddine makes clear in her devastating video below, their actions are also damaging our students and our entire province.
How long can President Brooks and her team continue their campaign to undermine Dalhousie’s operations, its reputation, and our students’ education? Why have they continued to do so this long?
Maybe when–not if–they come back to the table, we can teach them how to #KeepDalStrong, if they’re willing to learn.
“When nurses are silenced, patients suffer.”
Virtual pickets are on line
Virtual picket captains met on Friday to brainstorm their teams’ duties. Not everyone can walk the in-person picket lines but they can contribute to the online picket lines!
If you signed up for virtual picket duties and have not yet received your assignment, make sure to complete the survey, here.
Reach out to virtual picket co-leads Asha Jeffers and Martha Radice with questions or ideas for virtual picketing.
Humans of Dalhousie: “Pets of the DFA”
“Tell us what your pet thinks of job stability and fair wages at the university.”
We are Hippo and Hank. Our human, San Patten, adopted us and we have the glorious security of knowing we won’t be sent back to the shelter, the mean streets of Texas, or the woods of Hammonds Plains. It is wonderful to have a permanent home where we are valued and recognized for the fabulous pets that we are. Sadly, our human has been living with insecure employment for 10 human years (that’s 80 dog years!). She’s had three 3-year contracts, plus a 1-year “exemption” contract, teaching as a 0.5FTE LTA instructor in the College of Sustainability. She was brought in to contribute a human health, social justice and non-profit sector perspective to the Environment, Society and Sustainability program. If our human had job stability, she would reliably bring home yummy treats without anxiously wondering if her contract would be renewed yet again. We wonder: if our human is qualified enough to teach for ten years, why doesn’t Dalhousie University recognize her contributions with a permanent position? Maybe it’s because Dal wants the option of sending her away at the stroke of an eliminated budget line and are afraid to permanently commit to her as a valuable member of the faculty. We have more security than she does, and that’s just wrong!
[Ed. note: The letter of support for our colleagues on limited-term appointments is still accepting signatures.
Read the linked letter
Click at the top to offer your support by signing the letter.]
Shout Outs!
A bit of a backlog of shout-outs from the last few weeks (if I’ve missed any, remind me!):
Drew Weatherhead on the last week’s South Street/Dalplex line: she was the picket captain on the noon hour shift. Absolute rock star! Super high energy, full of positive vibes, great chants and so friendly.
Kristin Hearn (DFA staff) for the Herculean accomplishment of getting our Payworks system up and running, and hitting “send” on our first electronic strike pay run in DFA history!
Hannah Harrison and Sarah Fortune for their leadership in getting out a great press release focused on early career scholars and limited term academic staff.
Joye Sears (Bible Hill): Joye has been instrumental as a picket captain: her daily emails with ideas of how to keep the line invigorated and upbeat–from Teal Tuesdays to Wacky Wednesdays–help create solidarity in our group, and when you pair that with her upbeat and inspirational music with phenomenal dance moves… well, that right there keeps the “Sticky Pickets” (yes that is our group’s name) motivated to fight to #KeepDalStrong!
Shout out to Jon Shapiro, Picket Captain (last week) on South St! Endless energy and enthusiasm; excellent organization of a motley crew; and all round great human being. He deserves a shout-out!
Now we need some Shout Outs from our new lines, our virtual picketers, and everyone else! Click below!
