Students show support for 3903

Undergraduate students show their support for CUPE 3903 and our demands at the bargaining table.

Undergraduate students show their support for CUPE 3903 and our demands at the bargaining table.

For the second week in a row, “A message from CUPE 3903” ran on the back cover of The Excalibur, the most widely distributed newspaper on campus. Addressed to undergraduates, the message identifies many of the key issues that affect York students:

“Like you, we are concerned about rising tuition fees and student debt; funding cuts to education; racism and discrimination in the university; and threats to safety on campus,” the message begins.

It then introduces students to CUPE 3903 and the process of collective bargaining:

“On August 31, our contract expired. At the moment, we are negotiating a new contract, and we want a fair deal for everyone.

“When we negotiate to improve our working conditions, we are also negotiating to improve your learning conditions – and the quality of your education at York.”

CUPE members have been distributing the newspapers to their students, who have responded positively to the message. Some students have sent pictures of their own solidarity messages to the union, sharing them online and re-posting “A message from CUPE 3903.” Our web post about the union’s message to undergraduates has been one of our most popular all week.

The current issue of The Excalibur will remain on newsstands until next Wednesday. We encourage members to continue sharing copies with their students, as a means to engage them about the bargaining process – and how bargaining helps improve the quality of education of all students at York.

The last few issues also profiles CUPE 3903 in its regular news coverage, including the union’s solidarity with partial-load faculty at Seneca, our response to the pace of bargaining, and why job security matters for contract faculty at York.

To share pictures of students showing support for CUPE 3903, email them to CUPE3903Comms@gmail.com or tweet them using #betterYork or @CUPE3903Comms.

Students 3903-2

“Your Teaching Conditions Are Our Learning Conditions” #cupe3903 #solidarity

Students 3903-3

“Your Teaching Conditions Are Our Learning Conditions” #cupe3903 #solidarity

Students 3903-4

Undergraduate Student Reading “A Better York is Possible” Pamphlet

Students 3903-5

“Students in #solidarity with CUPE 3903…For a #BetterYork”

Students 3903-6

Students in #solidarity with CUPE 3903…For a #BetterYork”