The union representing NBA players has donated $10,000 to striking Simon Fraser University teaching assistant staff ahead of a practice at the Burnaby campus and a game in Vancouver this weekend.

Garrett Temple, a Raptor and vice-president of the National Basketball Players Association, announced the donation Friday (Oct. 6). He said members of the National Basketball Players Association stands in solidarity with the 1,600 members of SFU香蕉视频直播檚 Teaching Support Staff Union.

香蕉视频直播淲e are hopeful they are soon able to return to the jobs they love, with a deal that respects their important contribution to student and university life.香蕉视频直播�

TSSU香蕉视频直播檚 1,600 members with current teaching positions have been on strike since May with picket lines being launched last week.

The Raptors are set to hold an open practice at SFU香蕉视频直播檚 Burnaby campus Friday evening and play their first pre-season game on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings at Rogers Arena. They香蕉视频直播檝e been in Vancouver since Tuesday for training camp.

Temple joined the picketers outside SFU香蕉视频直播檚 Harbour Centre campus in Downtown Vancouver Friday.

香蕉视频直播淚 understand the pain. I understand how much y香蕉视频直播檃ll do for the university,香蕉视频直播� said Temple, noting he went to Lousiana State University. He spent five years at LSU, and graduated from the business management program.

香蕉视频直播淭he teaching assistants did basically everything for us 香蕉视频直播� I香蕉视频直播檓 not one of the guys that was there for six months or a year. I understand how much TAs do at the university.香蕉视频直播�

Union member Liam Kennedy-Slaney said TSSU reached out to the team ahead of the open practice due to possible picket lines.

Union members say they are striking to fight for a contract that includes a cost-of-living pay adjustment, an end to 香蕉视频直播渨age theft,香蕉视频直播� and a secure future for long-term instructors.

Black Press Media has reached out to SFU for comment.

香蕉视频直播� With files from The Canadian Press