Keeping the faith
Well that’s it for me folks. This is my last post.
After waiting what seemed an interminably long time, continually checking email and the AUFA Information site, I received the summary of the new collective agreement. I sat down in front of my computer and started reading it, and within minutes I said out loud, “They did it.” It didn’t take me long to correct myself and say “We did it.” But first I had to acknowledge the incredible strength of our negotiating team and executive, who, in the words or Richard Cunningham, must have felt they were carrying the world on their shoulders through these negotiations. And they did the same for us. Today, in the special information session of AUFA, that battle weary group began by graciously acknowledging how we supported them by staying strong on the line. The fact is, of course, we achieved this principled agreement together through the collective strength of the membership. At a time when we all needed each other, we were there. And as a result, nobody was sold out. I made sure to grab the “Nobody will be sold out” sign at HQ this morning to give to Jim Sacouman as a keepsake for keeping the faith.
Unfortunately, while we can and should take a moment to enjoy this significant victory, we can only do so for a moment. We have won an important battle, but the war over responsible governance at Acadia University is far from over. I was happy to hear so many people acknowledging that fact in our meeting today too. However, the coming battles will have to be subjects for other blogs and other bloggers. This blog and this blogger are done.
I’d like to end by thanking those who have taken the time to read this blog. I’ve found this experience of sharing my words, pictures, and videos with all of you very rewarding. This blog started out as an experiment in writing therapy, a way for me to cope with my anxieties and stresses about the strike. But it became so much more than that to me. Through this act of sharing — for me, a corollary to what happened every day on the picket line — I maintained and gained the strength I needed to keep the faith. And if this blog has done anything to hearten you during this stressful period in our lives, I’m glad of it, because it was inspired by so many of you. It was inspired by the solidarity I experienced every day walking beside my colleagues (now friends). It was inspired by the anxiety, the anger, and the humour (let’s not forget the cinnamon buns and coffee) that we all shared. It was inspired by the principles we upheld together, the foundations of a renewed Acadia. I thank you for making me prouder than ever to say WE ARE ACADIA.
And now it’s time for me to shave this fur off my face.
tsh replied:
Kudos on a job well done! We were talking on the line this morning (last shift!) about how important technology was to this strike. Organization would have been a nightmare, but without accurate information posted in a timely manner (when media blackouts were not in effect) and without this blog (and the photos and videos), maintaining morale would have been so much more difficult.
I think this blog has served both “locals” and “aways” really well, when the modern print media is terribly handicapped by the “fair and balanced” mantra that precludes thoughtful analysis. This was the place I came for informed discussion, and I’d like to thank both John and the people who wrote comments for that.
And now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and rebuild our university!
Stephen
November 6, 2007 at 7:13 pm. Permalink.
CS replied:
Dr. Eustace,
I had been waiting for your latest, and I guess last post for awhile! I would just like to express my gratitude to you for writing this blog during the strike. It has been wonderful to read your perspective and you blogs have been very much inspiring, this last one very touching. However, I laugh at the picture of your unshaven face! I think you needed to put that in at the end to lighten it up.
Even though I, as a student have missed out on a lot of class time, I admire you and the other members of the faculty, perhaps especially the negotiating team for fighting for what you deserve. You didn’t give up and let yourselves be sold out. I think that for this reason, every member of AUFA has set a great example for us students.
Even though I have been affected by this strike, I am not bitter and I would like to say thank you to all members of the faculty for standing up (haha, in this case literally) for what you believe in.
November 6, 2007 at 7:20 pm. Permalink.
Megan Valois replied:
Dr. Eustace,
I followed your blog throughout. As a member of Acadia Alumni (and a former student of yours!), I was interested in keeping “in the loop” about what is happening in Wolfville. I have enjoyed reading your perspectives and am very happy that this has come to a resolution, but more importantly, a resolution which is fair for the faculty.
When I look back on my years at Acadia, it is the professors and their classes that stand out in my mind. Without the professors, Acadia would not be an educational institution and certainly not one as well-respected as it has been.
Best of luck as you head back to classes. As a teacher, I understand your passion for education and how happy you all must be to get back into the classroom.
November 6, 2007 at 9:39 pm. Permalink.
JD replied:
Dear John,
Thank you for sharing the strike experience through this blog. It has been really nice to feel that sense of connection to the university and the department across the miles–emotional investment in a place like Acadia simply doesn’t end when one moves on. It’s a bit sad that this will be the last daily dose of your writing, but I’m thrilled for your sake, and everyone’s, that the strike part of this battle is finally over. I’m glad to hear though that everyone recognizes that much work remains to be done to get Acadia back on track and functioning again like the university it should be. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb has got to go!!!
Please say Hi and pass on my best wishes and congratulations to everyone in the department. I bet it’ll feel good to get back to the office and start walking those hallways again–although you have my deepest sympathies for the 3.5 weeks of email backlog you’ll all have to catch up on!
That’s a ton of fur!
November 6, 2007 at 9:47 pm. Permalink.
Ashley R replied:
Thanks for the blogging; it was very insightful.
Also, great growth! Looks as though you’ve won the cup.
November 7, 2007 at 6:20 am. Permalink.
JS replied:
Thanks for blogging, I definitely looked forward to your daily blogs during the strike to keep me informed on how the negotiations were going.
I’m very happy to be back in class, and am glad that a resolution was made with the faculty being “sold out.”
As JD said, Gail has definitely got to go. (I was horrified at her tardiness at the Remembrance Day Ceremonies today, it was absolutely awful.)
Thanks, and good luck.
JS
November 11, 2007 at 7:39 pm. Permalink.