McGill University teaching assistants walk the picket line on first strike day
McGill University teaching assistants launched a strike Monday after voting in favour of an eight-week strike mandate last week.
"Our fight is not just for us, it is for the quality of education at this institution," said Dallas Jokic, who is on the TA bargaining committee.
Teaching assistants say they do essential work for undergraduate student's education, including running labs or tutorials and grading assignments.
"I feel like we do just as much or sometimes more work than the actual instructors of the course themselves sometimes,:" said TA Maria Elisa.
"I think that TAs are integral to my studies because most of the time I learn more from them than the actual teachers," said Max Gourmelen, a second-year student.
Negotiations for a new collective agreement started in September. The union says it's been at the table with McGill 18 times since then.
"We've seen a real lack of flexibility, especially on monetary items," said Jokic.
The union's main demand is higher wages. Despite working at a top school, Jokic says many TAs live below the poverty line and make considerably less than teaching assistants at other Canadian universities.
"U of T actually just negotiated a new contract, so as of a couple of weeks ago, they're now going to be making $51 an hour. We make $33 [per hour," said Jokic.
In a statement emailed to CTV News a McGill spokesperson wrote, "McGill looks forward to continuing discussions with the union for the renewal of the collective agreement. The university is continuing its operations, prioritizing the measures necessary to ensure that students are not unduly affected by the labour action."
However, students we spoke to say it is already affecting their studies.
"Them being gone means a lot of my tutorials are canceled, which makes my life a lot harder," said Katherine Lees, a second-year lit student.
Meanwhile, fourth-year bioengineering student Tuna Gedick is worried about delayed grades possibly affecting graduations.
The union says it heads back to the table with McGill on Tuesday. Jokic says they would love to make a deal that could end the strike mandate but adds that TAs are ready to stay there until the end of the semester if necessary.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.