Here are the candidate statements for the position of TFAC Co-Chair. The election will take place over zoom during the TFAC AGM held 1-4pm Thursday, March 25, 2021. All TFAC members are eligible to vote in the election.
Click through for statements for:
I am a racialized, neurodiverse, gender-fluid, queer person. As a PhD Candidate in the Critical Disability Studies program my focus is on access issues for BIPOC students in post-secondary.
In my time as a TFAC Co-Chair I have demonstrated a commitment to listening and learning from senior TFAC members. I have been effective at following through on numerous issues raised by membership in a timely manner and delivering on those projects.
There are a number of initiatives that are near completion and require consistent pressure on the institution; TFAC would benefit from having a Co-Chair(s) who could provide continuity to our caucus.
This year as TFAC Co-Chair I have:
- I led TFAC in drafting bargaining proposals for the 2020/2021 year. Including creating gender neutral language in the CA and a win over control of our SASSF funds.
- I led the research and creation of the TFAC Financial Assistance Fund to provide $200 to members who demonstrate need
- As the creator of the policy, application forms and adjudication procedure, I believe I would be best suited to ensuring this initiative takes flight.
- Worked with York and Sex Gen to create an interim solution to displaying pronouns on Moodle
- The final phase of this project is planned for September; I would like to follow through with the progress made by continuing to push forward with our networks.
- I organized a donation and event to benefit Black Sex Workers through Maggie’s
- I would like to continue to propose donations which prioritize the benefit of BIPOC populations
I would like to support membership with the creation of:
- More recruitment initiatives, with attention to BIPOC engagement
- Paid TFAC positions to support membership involvement
- Better social media presence/updated website
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Kelsey Ioannoni
My name is Kelsey, I’m a 7th year PhD student in Sociology. I was one of the TFAC co-chairs for the 2019-2020 year, and am an active member of the union. As a rank-and-file member, I have sat on the SASSF and EHB committees and served as an elections officer and forum moderator.
During my time as TFAC co-chair, I:
- Contributed to the completion of the internal Sexual Assault Policy for the local and bringing it to the membership for a vote
- Consulted with TFAC membership on how to improve the SASSF and Trans Fund to better suit member’s needs. This resulted in an increase to the annual and lifetime maximums on both funds
- Met with representatives of the Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support, and Education (formerly SVRO) to coordinate dispensing Collective Agreement funds that were awarded to TFAC in conjunction with the Centre. This resulted in an agreement of the Centre to reimburse sexual violence related spending by TFAC, including SASSF moneys.
If elected as TFAC co-chair, I will work alongside the other co-chair and the membership to establish TFAC’s priorities for the upcoming year. Areas of focus could include: mobilizing the TFAC membership during bargaining, working on promoting TFAC meetings and increasing attendance, and figuring out ways to support members with the challenges of online teaching and the potential return to in person teaching. In addition, I would support continuing the work of the outgoing co-chairs, such as the great work they did around the Trans Day of Remembrance and the workshops they have made available to members.
Thank you for your consideration.
My name is Thania Vega. I am a Latinx, trans member of CUPE 3903 and I am running for the position of TFAC co-chair. I cannot overemphasize how crucial my CUPE locals (4600 at Carleton and 3903) have been to my well-being and political development. I am very grateful to continue the work of previous and current 3903 members in developing a union that is loyal to its social unionist values, and which fights for its most marginalized members.
I have been an active member of this union since I started my Ph.D. program in 2014. I was heavily involved in both strikes primarily through my work as picket captain, flying squad member, departmental steward, poll clerk, and running social media campaigns. I am also a member of the First Nations Solidarity Working Group and various committees including the Extended Health Benefit and Trans funds and various hiring committees. In sum, I am very familiar with our collective agreement and the inner workings of our local.
As TFAC co-chair I will work to enhance the voices of women, trans, and gender non-conforming members, especially in ongoing bargaining rounds with an intransigent employer. As we know, in terms of Unit 1 tickets, Unit 2 seniority, and Unit 3 employment security, equity more than ever is at the centre of bargaining. I believe we can leverage TFAC’s unique position as an autonomous decision-making body within the union to mobilize our members and broader community and pressure the employer to respond to our demands. Along with my co-chair and other organizations on campus, I aim to organize events and workshops that improve our collective well-being and sense of belonging, and which demonstrate the importance and power of union membership and collaboration.
I thank you all for your consideration.