Toronto Raptors players make donation to SFU instructors' strike fund

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The SFU Teaching Support Staff Union has received a surprising sign of solidarity: the Toronto Raptors players have donated to the instructors’ strike fund.

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The Raptors are in Vancouver for their 2023 training camp and the players, through the NBA Players’ Association, have donated $10,000 to the fund and may also march on the TSSU’s picket line at SFU Harbour Centre on Friday.

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“The members of the NBPA stand in solidarity with members of Simon Fraser University’s Teaching Support Staff Union,” Raptors player and NBPA vice-president Garrett Temple said in a statement.

“The NBPA and its members on the Toronto Raptors are donating to the union’s strike fund, to support them as they continue their fight for a fair contract. We are hopeful they are soon able to return to the jobs they love, with a deal that respects their important contribution to student and university life.”

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The TSSU has 1,600 members who are in a labour dispute with the university and are seeking cost-of-living adjustments and better wage policies.

“This generous donation from the NBPA members is a great reminder that we, as workers, are all on the same team,” TSSU trustee Dalton Kamish said in a statement. “SFU faculty have brought food to our pickets, unions from across the country have donated to our strike fund, and community members have come out to walk the line with us.”

“Our only opponents are the deep-pocketed SFU executives who think we should starve while they give themselves bigger and bigger raises each year. We’re tired of dunking on SFU’s weak defence of indefensible contract offers. The ball’s in their court.”

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The Raptors are holding an open practice at SFU’s Burnaby campus on Friday evening, which the TSSU notes will not behind their picket line.

MORE TO COME.

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