York to CUPE: Only a ‘Yes’ vote is certain to end the strike

In a message to CUPE 3903 members, the University says that only a "yes" vote next week on its offers for settlement is certain to end the current strike and restart the fall term no later than Monday, Jan. 26.

A "no" vote, it says, would prolong the current uncertainty and the impact of the strike on the York community.

It says that time is running out on the University’s ability to deliver a full summer term. Noting that the offer provides signficant enhancements to collective agreements which are already among the best in Canada, the University says it simply cannot afford the union’s remaining demands from both an academic and a financial perspective. The message says the University cannot settle the strike at any cost or set the stage for another possible strike in 2010.

See the full message here. The offers of settlement for Units 1, 2 and 3 of CUPE Local 3903, on strike since Nov. 6, are posted here and at the Negotiations Update page.

The vote on the University’s offers will be held Jan. 19 and 20 at the Hotel Novotel Toronto North York, from 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm on both days. Shuttle buses to the Hotel Novotel, next to North York Centre subway station, will run continously from various York locations and other points throughout the voting period. See schedule here.