OTTAWA, Oct. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Academic staff across Canada are taking part in a series of events this week to raise awareness about the growing use and abuse of the casual employment of university and college teachers and researchers.
"Universities and colleges are increasingly relying on poorly paid staff to work on a short-term or limited-term basis," said Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) president Robin Vose. "This has serious implications not only for contract academic staff, but for students, their regular academic staff colleagues, and universities and colleges as a whole."
Vose notes that contract academic staff often have access to few resources on campus, are excluded from discussions about curriculum and other academic matters, and because of their precarious employment status have difficulties exercising their academic freedom.
"Many contract academic staff are not even eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) because of recent restrictions imposed by the federal government," Vose added.
As part of this year's Fair Employment Week, CAUT is calling on its members and the public to send letters to universities and colleges urging them to ensure proper compensation and job security for all academic staff. CAUT is further asking supporters to sign a petition to the federal government to change EI eligibility restrictions for workers who are on limited, but regular employment terms.
Image with caption: "Fair Employment Week: Precarious campus work in the spotlight. (CNW Group/Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141027_C1923_PHOTO_EN_7140.jpg
SOURCE: Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)
Angela Regnier, Communications Officer, (o) 613-726-5186 (cell) 613-601-6304 (email) [email protected]
Share this article