February 4, 2009

Greetings to CUPE 3903,

On behalf of the Executive and members of the Syndicat des chargées et chargés de cours de l’Université Laval (SCCCUL), I am writing to offer our support and solidarity in your recent conflict with York University.

We have been following closely your union’s struggle for decent working conditions for contractual faculty at York University. The decision taken by the Government of Ontario to force you back to work flies in the face of the most basic principles of collective bargaining.

Not only did York University fail miserably in its negotiations with its employees but by cancelling ALL classes, it tried to put the blame on others for its own inability to deal with the reasonable demands for contractual faculty. In fact, York University demonstrated its own incapacity to negotiate with a large sector of its employees and instead had recourse to an unconscionable law to force them back to work.

We are of the opinion that such legislation constitutes an infringement of trade union rights and as such is unacceptable in a democratic country such as Canada.

Please rest assured that we will continue to follow your efforts to obtain a fair settlement for your members.

In solidarity,

Robert J. Grace
Vice-président à la vie syndicale

Syndicat des chargées et chargés
de cours de l’Université Laval
Pavillon Alphonse-Desjardins
2325, rue de l’Université Bureau 3304
Québec (Québec) G1V 0A6
Site internet : http://www.ulaval.ca/scccul