Accusations fly as Western U teaching assistant strike begins
Spring undergraduate exams have begun under the backdrop of a strike at Western University.
For now, writing sessions continue.
Two thousand teaching assistants, members of Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Local 610, are picketing at multiple entrances to campus.
Reported issues include wages and wage claw backs. In an online post, Western University stated it has offered TAs an hourly wage rate of $48.16 to $51.10 per hour.
But the strikers say that’s not a fair perspective.
“The maximum hours a student can do is 10 hours a week. Many students have only five or less,” stated 610 Local President Pardis Baha.
Baha said her members are struggling to support themselves. TAs are also full-time grad students.
Patti Dalton, the president of the London and District Labour Council, agreed.
Patti Dalton is the president of the London and District Labour Council. April 11, 2024. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
“Their wages are well below the poverty level. They are struggling with rent,” she said.
Dalton claimed area labour unions will regularly join strikers until a new collective agreement is signed.
She also made strong accusations against the University. Dalton alleged Western is encouraging 610 members to cross picket lines.
She also suggests Western is trying to fill local 610 roles with non-members.
“We call it what it is, which is an attempt to union bust,” said Dalton.
Western declined an on camera interview with CTV News London, however they said in a statement, “Some Western staff have chosen to receive training so they can assist with exam supervision" and add exams will continue.
The university also suggests PSAC members walked away from the negotiation table.
Pardis Baha is the president of PSAC Local 610. April 11, 2024. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
Pardis countered by claiming talks Wednesday with a mediator lasted for 10 hours.
Walking to write his first exam, undergraduate student Chrisaanth Kennedy passed through the Richmond Street picket line.
He told CTV News London he wants a quick resolution as undergrad students are caught in the middle.
“I hope it gets settled soon. At the moment we’ve been told our exams are going to happen. I hope for the best,” said Kennedy.
It appears most picketing is not interfering with traffic flows, despite advisories of delays. However, some LTC routes have been modified.
Paradis said there are no new talks slated.
“We are ready to return to the table as soon as Western is ready to hear what we have to say at the table.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre kicked out of Commons after calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko'
Testy exchanges between the prime minister and his chief opponent ended with the Opposition leader and one of his MPs being ejected from the House of Commons on Tuesday -- and the rest of Conservative caucus walking out of the chamber in protest.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Moe 'will respond' to CRA, insists Saskatchewan has 'paid in full' amid carbon tax audit
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says his government 'will respond' to the Canada Revenue Agency when it concludes its audit of the province, but that his position is Saskatchewan doesn't owe Ottawa any money.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a northeast London suburb Tuesday, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring four other people, British authorities said.
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
WATCH Arnold Schwarzenegger spotted filming in Elora, Ont.
The name of the project has not been officially released although it’s widely believed to be the Netflix series FUBAR.
BREAKING Hosting Vancouver's FIFA World Cup games could cost half a billion dollars
Hosting seven games in Vancouver during the 2026 FIFA World Cup could cost more than half a billion dollars, according to an updated estimate provided Tuesday.
Conservatives push motion calling for Carney to testify, say it's about 'accountability'
The federal Conservatives made good on their promise to push for former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney to testify before MPs, resulting in a heated political debate in Ottawa on Tuesday.