Union member David Waddell received the shocking cancer diagnosis just 5 weeks before the end of the Spring semester. He asked to be allowed to finish his classes online in an on-demand format while he received urgent cancer treatment. However, Kyoto Gaidai applied its policy without mercy and got another teacher to take over until the end of the semester leaving David with zero wages during this period.

He was willing and able to provide on-demand lessons. This would have let him both receive the life saving treatment he needed while continue to work and earn his salary. The university, it total disregard for David’s health or livelihood forced him out of work.

After intervention from the union the university has apologised for their behaviour, but we believe this is not enough. Their actions caused a loss of income and they must take responsibility for this. They argue that they do not have a legal responsibility, we argue that they have a moral one.

We are again asking that Kyoto Gaidai compensate David for his loss of income and for their shoddy treatment of a long term employee. We will meet in collective bargaining again soon.

Today, union members are standing up to tell Kyoto Gaidai to treat our member right! We also want to send a message that part-time teachers are not disposable. Universities are more and more relying on part time teachers, who receive no sick benefits, insurances and less job security to teach their courses. We want universities to recognise the importance of these teachers and that part-timers are not be thrown away and replaced just because they get sick.

You can help David by attending this short gathering and sending a message to Kyoto Gaidi, together with your fellow union members, that part time teachers demand and expect respect in their workplaces.