Updated 2022 Edition by Lynelle Yutani.
(A highly stylized adaptation of the poem, “Twas The Night Before Christmas” attributed to both Clement Clarke Moore and Henry Livingston Jr.)
‘Twas just days before Christmas, when all through each campus,
Not a creature was stirring, the Term’s all complete, for which you can thanks us;
Next term’s course syllabi are posted to D2L with care,
Our fingers crossed, no grade appeals will be there;
New textbooks were nestled, all snug on their shelves,
While visions of the pivot & Zooms are haunting our selves,
With the stewards on guard for any new employer lapse,
The Union had settled down for their long winter naps-
Yet out in the public there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from repose to hear all the chatter!
Away to the internet, logging in like a flash,
Oh, how the “Shared Recovery Mandate” made our hearts crash.
Dashed hopes of a fair and reasonable wage increase – instead now this blow,
Meager cost of living adjustments added to wages already too low.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But your Negotiating Committee showing no signs of fear!
Writing proposals and counters, so lively and quick,
Proper punctuation showing just why they’re the best we could pick.
More rapid than eagles to amend our contract they came,
If only Father Winter or some Minister, could grant our wishes by name:
“Co-governance, accountability, regularize more positions,
More prep time, less precarity, and improve working conditions!”,
Concessions so Grinch-like, you’d think we were Whos,
Proposals so Humbug, there’s nothing to choose!
For the next several months, with bargaining’s focus,
Together we must stand, and it’ll never be hopeless!
While we’d caucus forever to keep our SD,
This round just started, maybe reasonable they’ll be?
Not just for just Christmas or one day of good cheer,
We’re improving our CA, and to that we hold dear!
From the start of the year! To the end of each term!
Your rights are protected and on that we stand firm.
Here’s a reminder, and important it’s said,
When you’re in a Union, employers should dread!
We spring into action, you just have to whistle,
To help with small problems or ones the size of a missile:
YOUR Union protects you, supports you and fights-
It’s the reason workers have paid leave and most other rights!
So, just maybe when counting your blessings this year,
Remember to #thankunion for some of your good cheer!
-The CCFA wishes all of our members a joyous holiday season!
Lynelle Yutani (she/they)
ac.ytlucafnusomac@tnediserp
President, Camosun College Faculty Association
Lynelle is a queer, leftist rabble-rouser galvanized to guard the rights of union members and is on a crusade to convince you that you get out of your Union what you put into it. Lynelle serves on Presidents Council of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE) and was elected to FPSE Executive as a Member-at-Large. She is on a number of FPSE affiliate committees, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ and Racialized Workers Caucuses for the BC Fed, and is active in the Victoria Labour Congress. Lynelle also serves as V.P. of her Strata Council & oversees a rooftop community garden which partners with Harvest & Share Food Aid Society to grow fresh produce for local foodbanks and community food security programs.
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