The union representing striking graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) at Western is accusing the university of harming students academically with its use of replacement workers.
The roughly 2,000 GTAs, represented by Public Service Alliance of Canada Local 610 (PSAC 610), have been off the job since last Thursday when talks between the two sides broke off. GTAs hit the picket line just as the post secondary institution entered the year-end exam period, which they are responsible for proctoring and marking.
“We have heard complaints from undergraduates that the proctors Western has hired as scab labour, are unable to answer their questions during exams," said PSAC Local 610 President Pardis Baha. “Students are worried that their academic year is being placed in jeopardy by not having their teaching assistants who they have worked with all year, grading their exams.”
According to the union, the use of replacement workers, who are unfamiliar with students' progress, diminishes the quality of education. Western was quick to refute the claim and justify its use of replacement workers.
"Western respects the right to labour action. We are also committed to ensuring undergraduate students finish the academic term by April 30," the university said in a statement issued to LondonNewsToday.ca. "The university has plans in place to ensure every exam moves forward in a responsible, safe, and inclusive way that emphasizes academic integrity and standards."
One of the main issues in the labour dispute is pay with the union demanding a "real monetary increase" to address the high cost of living. The last offer made by the university before talks broke off was an hourly wage rate of $48.16 that is retroactive to January 1 and would increase to an hourly wage rate of $51.10 by year four of the collective agreement.
GTA positions are not full-time. Pay is capped at 10 hours a week. In addition to proctoring and grading exams, GTAs are responsible for maintaining grading records, assisting with classroom teaching, preparing lecture presentations, tutoring and mentoring students, and supervising group activities.
Currently, no new talks are scheduled between the union and Western officials. The union has said publicly it is willing to resume talks. In the meantime, picket lines remain set up at all entrances to the university. They are leading to traffic delays on roads that surround the campus including Richmond Street and Western Road.
