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Elevating the voices of Black women working within the Black Diaspora: exploring experiences of violence, safety and joy working in university roles

March 20, 2024/in Did you know?/by Tracy Cochrane

Naomi Alormele is a doctoral researcher with Loughborough University (UK) on the project titled “Elevating the voices of Black women working within the Black Diaspora: exploring experiences of violence, safety and joy working in university roles”.

There are options to engage in these conversations either in person or online. After reading the below questions if you are interested in expressing an interest in engaging in the study, please complete this MS form:

https://forms.office.com/e/AN1AWZ7zdF

What is the purpose of the study?

The aim of this project is to analyse the perceptions, experiences, and identities of Black women staff in relation to their working environments in universities across the Black Diaspora. Previously research has taken place within the United Kingdom and will now be continuing in the Ontario province of Canada.

Who is doing this research and why?

This study is part of my PhD research project supported by Loughborough University (UK). The ethical approval code for this study is: 2023-11092-14004

The study will be undertaken by myself (Naomi Alormele) and supervised by Dr Catherine Armstrong, Dr Jessica Robles and Dr Jenny Prendergast. The purpose of this research is to explore the nuanced nature of oppression Black women experience working within universities. This project also aims to explore factors that contribute to Black women’s sense of empowerment and belonging in their employed roles.

How is this study being conducted and what will my contribution be if I wish to be involved?

This study is being conducted through group conversations at the beginning of May 2024. If you choose to take part in person this will be in the North York and Waterloo areas of Ontario (exact location TBC).

The conversations will take place in small groups, lasting no longer than 2 hours.

How can I get in touch if I would like more information prior to filling in the MS form?

Please email directly at: n.alormele@lboro.ac.uk

Centre for Feminist Research

Kaneff Tower, York University

cfr-coor@yorku.ca | cfr@yorku.ca

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Government-announced PSE funding is inadequate and falls short of what is needed for a robust, sustainable post-secondary education sector

March 6, 2024/in Did you know?, Education in Politics, OSSTF/by Tracy Cochrane

The Ontario University and Colleges Coalition (OUCC), which represents over 435,000 faculty, staff, and students from every public postsecondary institution in Ontario, has been ringing the alarm on the post-secondary education sector’s underfunding crisis, which has been in the making for over a decade through consecutive austerity budgets, privatization, and burdening students and their families with financing the sector. The issue of underfunding is well documented by labour unions and associations in the sector, confirmed by multiple reports from the Auditor General of Ontario, and also echoed by the government’s own Blue-Ribbon panel.

https://campuscoalition.org/post/pse-funding/

Ford Government’s University Funding Announcement Continues To Failstruggling Universities

February 26, 2024/in Education in Politics, OSSTF/by Tracy Cochrane

MEDIA STATEMENT
For Immediate Release: Monday, February 26, 2024

https://wlusa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024FebOSSTFFEESOPostSecondaryFundingStatement-2.pdf

BHM: Canada’s unions honour the past to help shape the future

February 26, 2024/in Did you know?, Labour Movement/by Tracy Cochrane

This Black History Month, Canada’s unions are celebrating the history and legacy of Black community members who have stood for justice and made Canada a more equitable country.

https://canadianlabour.ca/bhm-canadas-unions-honour-the-past-to-help-shape-the-future/?link_id=3&can_id=39b4839a6295f2461b93416b2a8c437d&source=email-3-ways-to-celebrate-black-trailblazers&email_referrer=email_2215182___subject_2741946&email_subject=3-ways-to-celebrate-black-trailblazers

Thousands of CUPE academic staff, librarians, service workers threaten to strike

February 26, 2024/in Did you know?, Labour Movement/by Tracy Cochrane

Thousands of workers across all U of T campuses and three different chapters of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are threatening to go on strike if they do not reach a new deal with the university by March 4.

https://thevarsity.ca/2024/02/24/thousands-of-cupe-academic-staff-librarians-service-workers-threaten-to-strike/

3,000 York University academic workers go on strike

February 26, 2024/in Did you know?, Labour Movement/by Tracy Cochrane

Some 3,000 academic workers at York University walked off the job Monday after the union representing them and the school failed to reach a deal on a new collective agreement.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/york-university-strike-1.7125523

OSSTF/FEESO Provincial Standing Committees and Councils Applications for 2024/2025

February 5, 2024/in OSSTF/by Tracy Cochrane

Applications are now open to all members of OSSTF/FEESO for appointments to provincial standing committees and councils. Any member in good standing is encouraged to apply for one of our many provincial committees and councils for term and co-option positions.

https://osstfupdate.ca/2024/01/17/osstf-feeso-provincial-standing-committees-and-councils-applications-for-2024-2025/

Application for Educational Services Workshop Presenter Training

February 5, 2024/in OSSTF/by Tracy Cochrane

OSSTF/FEESO is accepting member applications in both French and English to become a presenter for the following Educational Services Workshops:

Addressing Anti-Black Racism (AABR) (English only, as we have sufficient numbers of French-trained presenters at this time)
Managing Conflict (English or French – separate training)

https://osstfupdate.ca/2024/02/02/application-for-educational-services-workshop-presenter-training-2/

Six components that every education member should add to their financial plan

February 5, 2024/in OTIP/by Tracy Cochrane

There are many building blocks to a successful financial plan, and it can be hard to create — and stick to — each block.

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OSSTF/FEESO Statement – Black History Month

February 5, 2024/in OSSTF/by Tracy Cochrane

February 1, 2024 – Every February, OSSTF/FEESO celebrates Black History Month, which serves as an important opportunity to reflect on how we as a Federation and as individuals can continue to challenge and dismantle anti-Black racism in schools, workplaces, communities, on campuses, and in our union.

The national theme for Black History Month 2024 is “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build,” and celebrates the rich and important history of Black Canadians and their many achievements, while reminding us all that there is much work left to be done to ensure a better and more equitable future for all Canadians.

Black History stretches deep into the Canadian fabric and deserves far more than a single month of recognition. Canadian Black history should be taught and celebrated year-round, not just in February.

From reflection and acknowledgment, we must all move towards action. Rosemary Brown, educator, writer, and B.C. politician was the first Black woman elected to a Canadian Provincial legislature. Brown said that, “We must open the doors, and we must see to it they remain open, so that others can pass through.”

It’s up to all of us to ensure that Black curriculum is taught throughout the year, that anti-Blackness is unlearned in our school spaces, and that we create safer spaces for Black youth, educators, and education workers in our schools and on our campuses.

Throughout the month of February, OSSTF/FEESO will be featuring profiles, events, and resources on our website and social media feeds, starting with a special teaser video today!

OSSTF/FEESO also supports the national labour movement’s campaign, led by the Canadian Labour Congress. This year’s theme is “Black Resistance” and they are calling on supporters to send an action letter to their Member of Parliament to tell the government that we want to see justice for Black workers and their communities.

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