October 4, 2011 - Latest Issue - McGill University

CHRISDURRANTL a w I IAN OPEN LETTER TO THE LSA ONTHE MUNACA STRIKEIt is my understanding that the LSA executivehas made the decision to remain neutralin the dispute between theadministration and MUNACA. I can certainlysympathize with this decision. Opinionsin the faculty run the entirespectrum, so it is hard for the LSA to takea position that won’t get some peopleupset. However, I challenge them to domore. However…The reason they should be doing more, isbecause as law students we understandthat remaining neutral on an issue rarelymeans having a neutral effect. It meansfavouring the status quo, and allowingthose who have the upper hand to remainin their position of power. In the currentconflict, its seems as if MUNACA hasplayed all its cards, while the administrationis content to continue to play hardballand let the strike drag on. Theadministration seemed unperturbed in ane-mail from Vice-Principal Di Grappa thatsaid the conciliation process would continueuntil the end of October. Silencefrom the LSA does nothing to get our servicesback or to get MUNACA employeesback to work.MUNACA’s demands seem to be basedmainly on wage parity and pension securitycomparable to those of other universitiesin the city. If McGill is receiving thesame amount per student from the governmentas other universities, and is allowedto charge the same fees, why isthere this discrepancy in pay for the serviceworkers? Until the LSA comments onthe situation, it is essentially saying thatthe university’s refusal of these demandsis a fair position without offering any justification.If the LSA did make a statement and it wascontrary to what I believe, at least I wouldbe getting an informed opinion from areasonably impartial body. LSA memberssit on the university senate and otherbodies, and are much more familiar withthe university’s financial statement than Iam. We have empowered you throughvoting last spring to speak on our behalf.You have undoubtedly already spoken forus to the law faculty, the larger administration,SSMU and countless other bodies.Are you going to refrain from speakingnow just because the people you representare listening?The human element in this situation isthat in better times we come in contactwith MUNACA employees almost daily.They work hard to facilitate our educationand our futures. Some students go andvisit them and march alongside them onthe picket line, and I know this booststheir morale. To have a statement of supporton behalf of the LSA however, woulddo even more to buoy the spirits of peoplein a very tough spot. If the LSA is goingto deny support to those who support us,I would at least like to hear a good reasonarticulated.With admiration for other fine work donethis year.Sincerely,Chris DurrantCDOSAVE THE DATE! NOVEMBER 2, 2011IS PUBLIC INTEREST CAREER DAY!La Journée Carrières en intérêt public aura lieu le mercredi 2 novembre2011. As many of you will recall, Public Interest CareerDay used to take place every February after Civil and CommonLaw Career Days and right before reading week. The Career DevelopmentOffice sincerely hopes that this shift to the Fall semesterwill increase employer and student attendance, as well ashighlight the Faculty’s commitment to Public Interest careers.Afin de mieux desservir les besoins des étudiants, ceux-ci ont étéinvités cet été à partager leurs suggestions et offrir des commentairesconcernant les employeurs dont la participation seraitsouhaitée. Les clubs et associations, ainsi que les professeurs dela Faculté ont également été consultés, de manière à optimiserune représentation inclusive de la diversité du domaine de l’intérêtpublic.6 • 4 OCTOBRE 2011 • QN