CONTENTS
(1) York Refuses to Return to Bargaining Table
(2) Special General Membership Meeting: March 9
(3) Strike Committee Meetings
(4) Strike Duties Accommodation Procedure
(5) Strike Information Page
(6) Email for Students Template
(7) Joint BT-Exec Meeting: March 12
(1) York Refuses to Return to Bargaining Table
On Monday, the bargaining team sent the employer an updated counter-offer, as had been demanded both directly and in the media. The employer has since refused to return to the table. The bargaining team is working on an open letter to the York administration. Friday’s SGMM will be a good opportunity to discuss how we go forward to address York’s refusal to bargain.
The bargaining team have summarized the Monday counter offer here: Proposals and Responses as of March 5.
(2) Special General Membership Meeting: March 9
Strike SGMM
Friday, March 9
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
OISE G162
252 Bloor St W
Following the strike policy, Strike SGMMs will be held weekly for the duration of the strike. The agenda will include:
- a report from the Executive Committee on the conduct of the strike.
- a report from the Bargaining Team on the status of negotiations.
- a report by the Strike Committee and its subcommittees on the conduct of the strike.
- a report from the Treasurer on the state of the finances of the union.
- an agenda item allotted for motions from the floor that will direct the activity of the union, its committees and/or officers during the strike.
With thanks to our allies at CUPE 3902 for the donated space!
Please contact Sheila Wilmot at cupe3903.equity.officer@gmail.com if you require ASL interpretation, reimbursement for childcare/caregiver/attendant care, and/or transportation costs for members who are unable to secure Wheel-Trans, or other requests for accommodation.
(3) Strike Committee Meetings
The next Strike Committee Meeting will take place on Thursday March 8 at 5:30 pm at Casa Maiz, 1280 Finch Ave. West, Unit 204 (Finch and Keele).
While we will try to schedule SC meetings with more notice, they may be announced on short notice to address developments on the picket lines. As such, picket captains and all interested members are encouraged to subscribe to the Stewards’ Council listserv, where these meetings are announced regularly.
(4) Strike Duties Accommodation Procedure
All CUPE 3903 members who want to contribute to strike duties and receive picket pay will be given meaningful work. The following policy is for members who cannot picket — or can only picket some of the time — due to a protected ground in the Ontario Human Rights Code. Members who need accommodations are strongly encouraged to sign up now, following the procedures outlined in the policy, for alternative (or “8th Line”) duties: CUPE 3903 Strike Duties Accommodation Procedure.
Requests for accommodations that are not due to a protected ground in the Ontario Human Rights Code should be made to the Strike Committee by emailing CUPE3903strikecommittee@gmail.com.
(5) Strike Information Page
Check out the Strike Information page for all queries related to:
- Picket line locations
- Strike Accommodations
- Strike Pay
There are also FAQs for striking and picketing.
(6) Email for Students Template
Members have been creating a number of templates of emails to send to your students to explain the strike and their rights not to cross picket lines. You should feel free to talk to your students about the strike in whatever way you choose. However, if you are looking for a place to start, here is a template: Template email for students.
(7) Joint BT-Exec Meeting: March 12
Joint Exec-BT Meeting
Monday, March 12
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Strike HQ
45 Fours Winds Dr, Unit Q-1
Joint meetings of the Bargaining Team and Executive Committee are always open to members.
If you have an item you’d like to add to the agenda, email Dan O’Hara, Recording Secretary (recsec.cupe3903@gmail.com).