February 2, 2009

Members of CUPE 3903:

On behalf of the entire NDP caucus I would like to express our thanks to the executive, the bargaining team and all the members of CUPE 3903 for their hard work and commitment during the recent struggle at York University.

Faced with an employer who refused to negotiate, the members of 3903 acted responsibly and vigorously in an attempt to negotiate a collective agreement that recognized and reflected the long term, best interests of the students.

Ordering Local 3903 back to work will not solve the problem of under funding of Ontario’s universities nor will it reverse the trend toward the elimination of tenured professors and their replacement with under paid contract faculty. When you fought for these things you were fighting for the students.

The NDP is very concerned that the use of back-to-work legislation will establish a dangerous precedent which is a threat to every worker in the province.

We are encouraged however by the fact that many of the major newspapers are finally running stories about the chronic under funding of our universities, the reduction in the number of tenured professors, dependence on underpaid contract faculty and the tarnished image of York University. The fact that these issues are now being discussed is due in large part to the dedication of Local 3903 over the last few months.

We sincerely hope that you will be successful in your arbitration.

Thank you again for your hard work and it was a pleasure working with you.
Howard Hampton, MPP
Leader, Ontario NDP