Strike toolkit: Staff who rely on fixed-schedule transit can leave a bit early

This toolkit is a daily compendium of news and links relating to the strike by Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903, which represents teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants at York University. The strike began on Nov. 6. For immediate information or to report picket line issues, call the Strike Hotline at 416-650-8420.

Public transit accommodation: During the strike, employees who rely on public transportation with a fixed schedule, such as GO or VIVA, and who request permission to leave early in order to catch their bus, should be accommodated by allowing them to leave 10 or 15 minutes earlier to enable them to get to the perimeter of the campus where buses are now picking up.

For more transit information, including a map of designated bus stops, see the Transportation Services page.

Research FAQs: A set of FAQs for research employees has been posted on the Negotiations Update page. 

Event cancellations: Stong College has cancelled the following special presentation:

  • "The Courage to Cooperate: Lessons Learned in Building Arab and Israeli Cooperation", which was to be held Nov. 11.

General information

Academic activities, including classes and exams, have been suspended for the duration of the strike, with some exceptions. For full details, students and others should go to the York Secretariat Labour Disruptions Information page.

The University is open and employees not represented by CUPE Local 3903 are required to come to work.

Public transit services are still available. However, bus stops are at designated areas outside picket lines. For more information and a map of bus stops, see the Transportation Services Web site. The Keele-Glendon shuttle continues to operate.

Information and regular updates will be posted on the York home page,  internal home page, Faculty & Staff page and Current Students page, and in YFile, Ylife and the My YorkU.ca student portal. A series of FAQ and information pages is listed at the bottom of this page. 

Previous bulletins

Mail: If you’re wondering what to do about sending mail, fear not. Nothing much has changed. Outgoing mail should still be placed in the usual collection place in your unit, where Mailing Services will continue to pick it up.

Incoming mail will continue to be delivered as usual.

Mail, courier and other inbound deliveries are being coordinated through an off-campus warehouse and transferred to and from the Keele campus. 

Couriers: The three principal courier companies – Federal Express, Purolator, and DHL – have been informed that any deliveries destined for the Keele campus (regardless of location) should be redirected to an off-campus warehouse. Community members not using these courier companies will be responsible for directly informing other courier companies of the new delivery location and referring them to either Procurement Services (ext. 55143) or Mailing Services (ext. 77598) to obtain the warehouse location.

For courier pickup, people can make their own arrangements or contact Mailing Services (ext. 77598) for more options. Normally, people will be asked to put the package with a completed waybill into their mail collection, and the package will go out the next day. 

Deliveries: For full details about deliveries, see the Inbound Deliveries bulletin on the Procurement Services page.

Picketing

It is important to remember that the picketers are members of the York community. They are engaged in a lawful labour dispute with the University. This is a legal strike and it will result in delays and inconvenience.

In a strike, picketers are legally permitted to:

  • carry signs stating the nature of the dispute;
  • speak to you about their concerns;
  • ask you to join the picket line.

Picketers are not legally permitted to:

  • blockade entrances to the University;
  • use force, threats or threatening gestures;
  • construct physical barriers to block access to the University;
  • engage in unlawful behaviour.

Points to remember when approaching the picket line:

  • Safety is important. Approach the picket line slowly. If you are driving, plan your approach to the University so that you can make a right turn onto the campus. This will prevent you from being caught in the middle of an intersection in case of delays.
  • Whether driving, walking or biking onto campus, be prepared to stop and wait until you can cross through the picket line.
  • Be prepared for delays and remember to keep your calm. It is important to operate your vehicle in a safe and lawful fashion.
  • You should not engage in any confrontation with picketers. If you are not allowed through the picket line, or if you feel threatened, do not attempt to force your way in, immediately withdraw. Do not become involved in any arguments or any type of altercation.

In the event that despite your best efforts you are unable to proceed to your place of work because of the picketing activity, you must immediately contact your manager and contact the Strike Hotline at 416-650-8420.

If you are intimidated, harassed or otherwise mistreated, inform your manager immediately of the time, place and people involved, and steps will be taken to communicate directly to the union and its members that such activity is not lawful or appropriate.  If you are concerned for your health and safety, please contact your manager immediately. You may also provide details to the Strike Hotline at 416-650-8420.

Should you have any other concerns or should any issues arise during the work disruption, immediately contact your manager.

Where to find it
This list is updated regularly