Date: Mon, 1 Jan 2001 21:59:43 -0600
From: "Riaz Khimji"
To: message@esmartstudent.com
Subject: Thoughts from a CUPE member


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Dear Student,



I have read every message posted on this site. As a CUPE member, I would like to clarify some issues which may be of interest to you.



CUPE did not undertake this strike, at the onset of what was projected to be a very cold winter, to take away your hard-earned money. A very important fact that is not very often recognized is that the vast majority of CUPE’s members will not benefit at all from this strike. The CUPE members that you see walking around in circles on very cold days were already guaranteed protection from tuition hikes for the duration of their graduate life. The problem came about when the administration said: “Current CUPE members will be protected; future members will not.” CUPE decided to strike because they were awarded benefits that future graduate students - including many of you - would not be awarded. You need to know, therefore, that striking CUPE members stand to gain almost no monetary benefits. They are striking to avoid being privileged. That is one reason their slogen is: 'Solidarity'.

It should also be noted that we graduate students who are electing not to cross the picket lines are also electing not to attend any of our classes. But is it not true that we get paid? For every four-hour shift out in the cold, members are paid $40. I can promise you that we would rather stay home. A striker who wants to picket a 7 am to 11 am shift must wake up around 5 am only to reach home around 12 pm. From 5 am to 12 pm, therefore, a striker will earn $40. Note also that a striker who works all five days can earn a maximum of $40 per day. So although it is true that strikers “earn money”, the amount of money earned is very, very insubstantial to maintain an independent existence (most graduate students live independently.) At the end of a month's work of picketing, most graduate students find themselves in debt, despite living only on the bear necessities.

I find it very sad that so many of you are thinking that there is no way to recuperate from this mess once the strike is over. Personally, I believe very strongly that political action is very much a part of university life - even when the consequences reach such complex proportions as they have at present. I think, also, that it is all too common to make situations like this an excuse to avoid the responsibility of learning. I know that I am very wary about adopting this way of thinking (i.e., that of being a victim and nothing else). You, like me are not merely a victim; this experience can work in your favour if you are willing to put your mind to it.

Personally, I do not want to blame the administration for all of the consequences that have resulted from this strike. As in any group of people, some act properly and some do not. It is rare that an apple tree produces only rotten apples.

Thanks.

Mohamed Khimji



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