Teaching assistants deserve our support

Re: “'My students do not want to be on strike'” (Opinion, April 12)

As Mcgill University's teaching assistants take to the picket lines, it's important to recognize the invaluable role they play in the university's academic ecosystem. TAS are not just students working part-time; they are crucial educators, mentors and researchers who contribute significantly to the university's academic excellence.

First and foremost, TAS are educators. They lead tutorials, grade assignments and provide one-on-one support to students. Their work is instrumental in enhancing students' understanding of course material and improving their academic performance. Without TAS, many courses would lack the depth and engagement essential to a quality education.

TAS are also researchers in their own right. Many are graduate students pursuing advanced degrees and conducting research that contributes to their fields that often complements and enriches their teaching, allowing students to learn from the latest developments in their disciplines.

Despite their significant contributions, it's clear to me TAS are undervalued and overworked. They face challenges such as low pay, precarious employment and lack of job security. These issues not only affect TAS' well-being but also the quality of education they can provide.

I believe we must stand in solidarity with TAS and support their efforts to secure fair working conditions. Their demands for better pay, job security and respect are not just for themselves but for the benefit of all students and the university as a whole. Lindi Ross, Carignan