University issues message to CUPE 3903 members

The University has issued a new Negotiations Update addressed to members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903, "clarifying key issues relating to negotiations and the University’s offer" in the current strike.

The statement outlines details of the University’s offer and urges the union to "be realistic" in its demands. The last section of the two-page, q-&-a format statement says: "Can the University afford CUPE 3903’s demands in excess of 20 per cent over two years? No. The financial impact of CUPE 3903’s demands would require further budget cuts of at least three per cent next year on top of the significant cuts already required over the next three years. Cuts of this magnitude are simply not achievable or sustainable, and would be devastating to academic and non-academic departments across the University."

See the full statement here.

CUPE Local 3903, which represents teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants at York University, has been on strike since Nov. 6.

For further information, see the Collective Bargaining Updates page and FAQs relating to the strike.