Contract faculty continue to labour under precarious working conditions. This precarity remains among the most pressing issues confronting post-secondary institutions in Alberta and across Canada. Inequitable compensation, lack of job security and benefits—not to mention the strain such conditions place on academic freedom—undermine the dignity and sustainability of academic work.
In recognition of this reality, the MRFA’s annual observance of Fair Employment Week (FEW) provides an important occasion to highlight the lived experiences of precarious faculty. To this end, we invite current contract faculty, as well as full-time faculty who have themselves worked in contract positions, to participate in a storytelling panel and/or submit a recorded narrative (audio or video).
These recorded stories will be used internally to help us create a personalized narrative that strengthens our bargaining position in future years. Select quotes or excerpts may also be shared externally to raise awareness. The collected narratives will inform an edited deliverable for Fair Employment Week 2025 and contribute to a live panel session during Fair Employment Week 2024 (October 20–24).
Interested faculty are invited to submit stories or contact Chantelle Anderson at facultyrelations@mrfa.net to schedule a time for a recorded interview. More information about the process and possible topics is available here.
For further information, please contact Nazak Birjandifar, MRFA Advocacy Group Chair, at advocacy@mrfa.net.