York U Contract Faculty

CUPE 3903 in the Media — January 21, 2009

A message from the CUPE 3903 executive to all units:

We, the executive of CUPE 3903, are pleased that 1466 of our teaching assistants, graduate assistants and contract faculty have voted against the employers’ latest offer in a forced ratification vote. This number represents 799 in Unit 1, 363 in Unit 2, and 304 in Unit 3, for a total of 63% voting NO to this offer. The membership of this union has stood strong against an employer who has done the bare minimum in terms of bargaining and who has refused to recognize our key demands during a strike that has so far lasted 77 days.

This deal has been recognized as one that is not adequate in terms of addressing the priorities as outlined by our members, and we are disappointed that York University’s administration felt the need to waste 11 days of bargaining on an offer that they knew our members would reject.

The defeat of forced ratification is a victory, but our work as a local is not done. Our challenges are real and many. They will not be met easily, but they will be met. We need to get back to the table so that we can all go back to work with a deal that is fair and equitable. Our members have outlined key priorities again and again: We will not give them up for the sake of expedience.

There are some who have questioned the scope of our demands and the scale of our ambitions. They think we are asking too much. But these criticisms fail to take into account all that this union has already accomplished through years of collective bargaining.

But there is much yet to be gained

For contract faculty we want to see the integrity of our conversions program maintained, and also have job security for these members.

For teaching assistants and graduate assistants in our local we need to see the issue of graduate funding addressed in a way that takes into account the needs of our members.

For all our members we need to see an Extended Health Benefits Fund that takes into account the real and serious health issues that our members face each day. We need to have a fund that is ample enough in terms of assisting our members with childcare needs.

All this we can do, and all this we will do.

Over the course of this strike we have been amazed at the level of commitment our members have shown to this local and to our key priorities. We have been awed by all the hard work and countless hours people have put in day after day. We are confident the solidarity that has been shown over the past few months will remain through to the end and beyond the strike.

This is the source of our confidence – the knowledge that we as members will stand strong in solidarity and win a fair settlement through the democratic process of collective bargaining.

Solidarity Forever,

The CUPE 3903 Executive Committee

Tags: forced ratification

We are calling on all CUPE Unit 2 members to exercise their democratic rights of collective bargaining and voting in support of our students and the academic integrity and viability of the academic programs that we teach in.

CUPE Unit 2 is a diverse group. Some of us are working towards full academic careers. Many others are specialists who only teach one or two courses a year at York, and have other professional pursuits outside of the university. We are all dedicated professionals with families to take care of and we all want to get back to class and to our students. But we also know that we are suffering economic hardship and that people have become weary, bored, frustrated and frightened.

Unfortunately, all indications are that the Employer has no respect for who we are and sees us as the weakest link in a union that represents three units. Their bargaining team has pushed the university into a crisis by not doing what needed to be done in December, i.e. negotiate in good faith. The Administration’s activities over the past few days only further confirm their disregard for democratic processes and a resolution that is professional and ethical. We can be certain of  one thing: if we vote out of fear that we will be on strike forever, or panic that the University will not offer a summer term, or that they cannot afford our modest proposals, we will have gone on strike for nothing and will see further takebacks in the next collective bargaining process in a few years.

As professionals, we have to ask ourselves, “What is becoming of York University?” They have gone to great effort and expense to pressure us to give up our right to collective bargaining by appealing to our “special responsibility as educators.” As dedicated teachers, we are all worried about how we will face our students but we can’t let the Employer treat us this badly. During the last 10 weeks, they have rejected the fundamental principle of bargaining by only negotiating for 7 days. Now they are engaging in deceptive managerial moves to see if we can hold out. If we say ‘yes’ now, those 10 weeks will be a waste. Despite all the Deans claims of “budgetary constraints,” 100 YUFA faculty have announced their retirement by July 1, 2009. The administration also managed to afford to FedEx two overnight packages with their campaign materials. Printing costs aside, this cost about  $18/pkg (X 2 envelopes, X 3412 members), which equals $122,832.

Our Unit 2 proposals are a reasonable compromise and it is neither selfish nor irresponsible to ask for compensation that better reflects our contribution to York’s academic mission. Whatever pressure and stress we are feeling, the financial pressure from attrition and declining enrollment, not to mention concerned students and parents, will be immeasurable.

All members of Unit 2 are affected by the choice you make. Voting NO will bring about serious negotiation and a quick resolution.

To read today’s unabridged 2-page Message to CUPE 3903 Unit 2 Members including: Why should I vote NO? What about Return to Work Protocol? What about the York University Faculty Association? What about the provincial government? click U2eLettertovoteNO

For English, Word version click U2eLettertovoteNO

Five Forced Ratification Vote Facts:

1. Any unit that accepts the offer can no longer bargain. That unit would be stuck with the current offer both for a collective agreement and for an imposed, non-negotiated back-to-work protocol.
2. Members of any unit that accepts the offer may no longer collect strike pay.
3. Even if two of three units accept the current offer, the strike continues. Senate has said that “classes cannot resume until after a tentative settlement has been ratified by the union’s general membership.” This means all units.
4. Judging from the exit polls, it looks very likely that U3 and U1 will reject the employer’s offer. If U2 votes Yes to the offer, you will not be allowed to return to work, or receive your York pay until every unit has reached an agreement.
5. The administration will have to return to the bargaining table to negotiate with all units that vote NO. In 2001, U1 and U3 negotiated a better contract with the employer within days following the forced ratification vote.

Today’s Top Story: Part-Time Faculty Crucial to Ending York Stalemate, Toronto Star, Jan 19, A6.

Tags: forced ratification