Alex Kvaskov | News Editor
Featured image: Nick Balaskas is the unwitting face of a freedom of speech struggle at York after being dismissed due to his social media posts. | Amir Yazdanparast
In the scramble to report on York dismissing a staff member for alleged anti-Semitism, many media outlets missed the person at the centre of the vortex of controversy.
Excalibur sat down with Nick Balaskas to get his take on the situation. Balaskas says he was wrongfully targeted by individuals “known” to York, working with outside political groups, and that President Mamdouh Shoukri is being targeted for his moral stand and alleged support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
Balaskas says his union, the York University Staff Association, or YUSA, is pursuing a grievance against York. Neither York nor YUSA First Vice-President Michael Belanger, who is managing Balaskas’ grievance, responded to requests for comment.
“As my employment was terminated ‘with cause,’ my good name and reputation has been destroyed and I am now blacklisted so that no one will hire me,” says Balaskas.
He adds that he is ineligible for employment insurance and is denied pension benefits, including continuing psychotherapy sessions and medical drugs for work-related injuries. “I now face the prospect of not being able to pay my bills, going without food and joining the thousands of homeless people in Toronto,” he says.
Balaskas’ dismissal raises questions about freedom of speech in the workplace. In particular, it remains an open question whether employers should be able to dismiss employees for expressing controversial opinions.
He has since been banned from university property.
York’s dismissal letter to Balaskas states that his actions have an “adverse impact on the reputation of York University.” It notes that while York defends free speech, it will not tolerate hatred or racism.
Hillel at York University Director Anna Kissin says it is outrageous and unacceptable that a university employee would post revolting, anti-Semitic content on social media.
“As York rightly concluded, such a person has no place on campus. We are pleased that the university has responded quickly and professionally, and has taken a strong stand against hate by choosing to dismiss Balaskas,” she adds.
In the meantime, Balaskas continues to post on his Facebook profile, though he recognizes such posts may get him in further trouble.
