Published on 31 Jan 2009
A MESSAGE TO MEMBERS FROM THE CUPE 3903 HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
As we return to work on February 2nd, the fact that we were legislated back after such a lengthy and bitter strike means that many of us enter our work spaces with a degree of fear and trepidation. It is very difficult to know what to expect from staff, students, faculty, managers and even our own members.
Published on 31 Jan 2009
January 30, 2009
1. Next GMM - Wednesday, February 4, 6 PM-9 PM, Trinity-St. Paul Church (427 Bloor Street West) [Details below]
2. Bargaining Update - January 30 [Details below]
3. 3903 First Day Back at Work Gathering - Monday, February 2, 8 AM, Vari Hall [Details below]
4. Call-out for Chief Steward, Unit 3 [Details below]
5. Strike HQ/Office Hours [Details below]
6. YU Free Press Seeks Post-Strike Content - Deadline February 6 [Details below]
7. Undergraduate Financial Resources [Details below]
8. Ontario University Workers Coordinating Committee - Delegate Call-Out and Elections [Details below]
Published on 30 Jan 2009
TO ALL York undergraduate students, members of the York Federation of Students, York Faculty, York Staff and other members of the York community, Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario, CUPE 3903 staff, CUPE locals, CUPE Ontario and National, members of the Ontario NDP caucus and their staff, ATU bus drivers for TTC, GO & VIVA, members and unions in the broader labour movement, other campus and student communities, community groups, and the thousands of individuals from near and far who courageously stood up in support of our strike…. THANK YOU!
CUPE 3903 may be a fiercely independent local, but without all your help and encouragement from strike day 1 we couldn’t have waged such a long and successful strike and created the space to raise and communicate such critically important issues about university workers, working conditions and the destructive impact of underfunding of education workers at York, in Ontario and in Canada.
Although the Ontario law passed on Thursday, January 29, 2009 ended our 85-day strike, it has only strengthened our spirit of struggle to continue the fight for quality higher education, workers rights, labour and social justice, academic freedom, and affordable and accessible education.
Stay tuned for more ways to remain involved and continue the struggle.
Power to the Classroom!
Published on 30 Jan 2009
Via York University Office of Student Financial Services
Students who require financial assistance (or additional assistance) due to the CUPE 3903 labour disruption can apply for financial assistance through the following programs:
The York University Hardship Bursary
The York University Undergraduate Bursary Program
The Friends of Glendon Hardship Bursary
To apply for these programs you must complete the Student Financial Profile and the Request for Additional Financial Assistance form. Applications will be assessed on an ongoing basis.
Need help completing an award application? Attend one of our one hour workshops on Scholarships, Bursaries and an Award Winning Application.
York Federation of Students Strike Relief Application
The YFS has created a Strike Relief Fund in order to aid students who have experienced financial hardship due to the strike. When completing your form, please deliver it by mail or drop it off at the YFS office (336 Student Centre). No faxes, please!
York Federation of Students
c/o Clubs Committee
336 Student Centre
4700 Keele Street
Toronto ON
M3J 1P3
LINK HERE this post for a copy of the YFS Strike Relief Application and look for the Download at the bottom of the page.
If you are having trouble viewing the application please email Krisna Saravanamuttu, vpequity@yfs.ca
Published on 30 Jan 2009
On Thursday, January 29th, the Ontario Legislature passed legislation to end the strike by CUPE 3903, and forcing our workers back to class starting Monday, February 2nd, 2009.
CUPE 3903 Representatives are currently negotiating the details of the “Back-to-Work Protocol” for striking members of all three units, and this will likely take a few days to complete. Keep checking list-serves and this website for updates.
In the meantime, please refer to York University policies and statements about return to classes at the links below.
Published on 29 Jan 2009
Howard Hampton, leader of the Provincial NDP, addresses the crowd.
Sid Ryan, National General Vice-President of CUPE, praises CUPE 3903
Above photos and captions by Alex Pylyshyn
Published on 29 Jan 2009
THURSDAY, 29 JANUARY 2009
The Ontario Legislature will vote on Bill 145: York University Labour Disputes Resolution Act, on Thursday morning at 10:15am. All CUPE Members, friends, and allies are encouraged to come rally, celebrate and honour all that we have done and achieved over 85 days of strike. Please gather at 9:30am.
CUPE 3903: Together All the Way
8:00am - Picketing begins at Queen’s Park
9:30am - Mass Rally at Queen’s Park
We came together, stood strong, and remained steadfast in the face of a hostile and intransigent Employer who refused to bargain. We took our struggle to the streets and to the legislature when the State stepped in to reward the Employer’s intransigence by legislating us back-to-work. We defied the State’s Security Apparatus when they beat down and arrested our members without provocation or cause. We fought well and we fought hard.
We fought the good fight. It is now time to close this chapter of the history of our Local, resolute, proud, going out fighting. It is time to begin another chapter anew.
In solidarity, join us.
Published on 28 Jan 2009
YORK UNIVERSITY WON’T BARGAIN:
CUPE 3903 TAKES HIGH ROAD, HOLD’S LAWSUIT, TO ALLOW RESUMPTION OF CLASSES
JANUARY 28, 2009 , TORONTO, ON – After waiting in vain for the past critical day and a half for York University to negotiate an eleventh hour settlement, the union representing striking contract professors and teaching, graduate and research assistants says it is shifting gears and preparing for members to return to the classroom.
“It is obvious that the York administration has no desire, indeed has never intended to reach a negotiated settlement,” said CUPE 3903 spokesperson Tyler Shipley. “We have done everything in our power to stand up for the quality and accessibility of education at York in this round of negotiations but, for now, it’s time to get our students back to class. Our local has decided not to pursue a legal challenge to Premier Dalton McGuinty’s back-to-work legislation at this time.”
Published on 28 Jan 2009
Statement of support for CUPE 3903
We are faculty members at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. We stand with CUPE 3903 members against the Liberal government trying to order you back to work and denying your collective bargaining rights. The York University administration has refused to bargain with you and this sets the very dangerous precedent that any administration could refuse to bargain with its faculty or education workers and simply wait until the government forces workers back to work. We join you in demanding
that York’s Administration return to the bargaining table. If the government can force you back to work it will be a defeat for all educational and other workers. A victory for CUPE 3903, however, will be a victory for all of us.
In solidarity,
Patricia Brace, English
Shana Calixte, Women’s Studies
Shannon Hengen, English
Jennifer Johnson, Women’s Studies
Gary Kinsman, Sociology
Reuben Roth, Sociology and Labour Studies
Alexis Shotwell, English and Philosophy
