Meet Your VP2 Candidates!

Hi, I am Farhana, and I am running to be your next Second Vice-President for CUPE 3902, nominated by Eriks Bredovskis and Claudia Vásquez-Caicedo Rainero.

I am a Sessional Instructional Assistant at the Department of Biology at the Mississauga campus. I am passionate about building community and creating accessible and inclusive work and learning spaces through advocacy and organizing, which is reflected in my various leadership positions within unions and student groups at the University of Toronto spanning over eight years.

Between 2019 to 2020, at the start and height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I served as CUPE 3902’s Internal Liaison Officer (ILO), which involved serving as the Local’s representative in collaborations with student and labour unions and equity-seeking groups within the University community.  In this role, I also oversaw the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) portfolio. I organized and provided training to the Local’s JHSC representatives to advocate for minimizing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for students and workers, and their families during a time campuses were reopening and there was pressure from the employer to return to in person work. I further engaged with the Employer on the Local’s positions on workplace health and safety and negotiated on the JHSC Terms of Reference.  

I have served as the President of the Tenant’s Association at the University Family Housing (UFH) between 2022 to 2023 (and previously, Vice-President between 2021 to 2022) where I advocated on behalf of student families on housing-related issues including but not limited to, maintenance, security, rent, and health and safety measures in shared spaces during COVID-19. As President of the Race and Ethnicity Caucus (REC) of the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union (UTGSU) from 2018 to 2020, and previously as Vice-President from 2016 to 2018, I organized workshops and campaigns focused on more accessible mental health services that meets the needs of racialized students on campus. My other roles include being an appointed Student Member on University Affairs Board of the Governing Council and the University Tribunal for two terms.

This is an important time for Unit 3 as we renegotiate our Collective Agreement with our Employer. I am confident that my extensive experience in organizing, advocacy, and community building equips me to serve effectively as Second Vice President. At the bargaining table, I will advocate for (i) greater transparency in hiring standards and processes, (ii) increased job security, (iii) improved wages and benefits, (iv) more paid training opportunities, and (v) protection of workers’ rights to speak out against systems of oppression and colonialism without threat of job loss. Together, we can organize to create a more equitable workplace for all!

I have no conflicts of interest to disclose.