Queen’s University Grapples with Online Misinformation During Graduate Student Strike
The ongoing strike by PSAC 901, the union representing graduate student workers at Queen’s University, has spilled over from the picket lines onto the digital realm, creating a stark contrast between the realities on the ground and the perceptions shaped by online discourse. While peaceful picketing and respectful dialogue characterize the physical strike, the online environment, particularly on platforms like Reddit, has become a breeding ground for misinformation, hostility, and exaggerated claims, threatening to undermine the union’s efforts and divide the campus community.
The strike, which commenced on March 10th, stems from protracted negotiations between PSAC 901 and the Queen’s administration regarding fair working conditions for Teaching Assistants (TAs), Research Assistants (RAs), and Teaching Fellows (TFs). Key bargaining priorities include fair wages, affordable housing, tuition relief, paid time for course content assimilation, and an equitable funding-to-labor ratio. Graduate students emphasize that their current stipends, averaging less than a living wage, necessitate significant improvements to their financial situation.
However, the online narrative surrounding the strike paints a drastically different picture. Exaggerated complaints about traffic disruptions and blocked access to the library proliferate across social media platforms, while strikers face accusations of disruptive behavior and accusations of entitlement. Attempts by graduate students to clarify their position and highlight their financial struggles are often met with derision and dismissal. This online hostility stands in stark contrast to the peaceful and orderly picketing observed on campus, where strikers have remained respectful and accommodating.
The discrepancy between the online and on-the-ground realities raises concerns about the role of misinformation in shaping public perception and impacting the strike’s outcome. The Queen’s administration has been accused of selectively sharing information about negotiation offers, highlighting seemingly generous wage increases while omitting crucial details about tuition relief and stipend guarantees. This tactic, amplified through social media channels, creates a misleading narrative that portrays the graduate students as unreasonable and undermines their legitimate concerns.
The situation at Queen’s University stands in contrast to experiences at other institutions, such as Carleton University, where a strike by administrative and technical staff in 2018 garnered significant student support. Despite the disruption to academic activities, students at Carleton largely recognized the legitimacy of the workers’ demands and placed the blame on the administration for refusing to negotiate fairly. The difference in response between the two universities highlights the potential influence of social media and administrative messaging in shaping public opinion during labor disputes.
The Queen’s administration’s actions have further fueled the division on campus. An email from the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs encouraged graduate students to return to their TA/RA/TF duties using a "Request to Work" form, omitting the fact that working during a strike could result in substantial fines under the PSAC constitution. Accusations of an atmosphere of fear, initiated by the administration, are countered by claims of intimidation tactics employed by private security forces hired to monitor the picket line.
The online hostility and misinformation surrounding the PSAC 901 strike not only demoralize the graduate student workers but also undermine the fundamental right to collective bargaining. The narrative propagated online delegitimizes peaceful and legal strike actions, creating a hostile environment that pits members of the university community against each other. This division benefits only the administration, which seeks to minimize costs at the expense of its employees and the quality of education provided.
The PSAC 901 strike is a microcosm of the broader issue of austerity measures in higher education. Program cuts, rising tuition fees, and understaffed departments threaten the quality of education and research at universities across the country. It is crucial for members of the university community – students, staff, and faculty – to recognize the common threat posed by these austerity measures and stand in solidarity with the striking graduate student workers. The right to collective bargaining and peaceful protest is essential for protecting the interests of all members of the academic community and ensuring a fair and equitable learning and working environment.
This strike also serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of unity in achieving positive change. Historical examples, such as the successful divestment from South Africa at Queen’s University in the 1970s and 80s, demonstrate the effectiveness of collective mobilization in challenging injustice and promoting positive social change. By standing together and supporting the rights of workers, the Queen’s community can build a stronger and more equitable institution for all.
The ongoing PSAC 901 strike underscores the importance of critical engagement with online information and the need to discern fact from fiction in the digital age. Before contributing to the online discourse, individuals should carefully consider the source of information and the potential consequences of their words. Supporting a narrative that undermines the rights of workers and perpetuates division ultimately harms the entire university community.
The strike at Queen’s University serves as a call to action for all members of the academic community to engage in informed and respectful dialogue, to challenge misinformation, and to support the fundamental right to collective bargaining. The future of higher education depends on the ability of students, staff, and faculty to stand together and advocate for fair working conditions, equitable funding, and a commitment to quality education for all.