CUPE 3903 Strike Newsletter: March 14, 2018

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CONTENTS

Updates

(1) CUPE 3903 and York Respond to Minister of Advanced Education
(2) Information for Members Considering Going Back to Work
(3) First Strike Payday on Friday
(4) CUPE 3903 Hotline – Live Starting March 15
(5) Solidarity Rally Friday

Meetings

(6) Communications Committee Meeting: March 15
(7) Special General Membership Meeting: March 15
(8) Strike Committee Call-Around Meeting: March 16

(1) CUPE 3903 and York Respond to Minister of Advanced Education

On Monday, March 12, the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Mitzie Hunter, contacted CUPE 3903 and the York University administration to encourage the two sides to bargain. She also told us that the provincial government will not introduce back-to-work legislation.

  • CUPE 3903’s response: Yes, CUPE 3903 would be happy to bargain. We’ve been waiting to go back to the table.
  • York University’s response: No, York University still refuses to bargain.

CUPE 3903 continues to be ready and willing to return to the bargaining table in order to work toward a negotiated settlement. We would be happy to continue to work with the provincially appointed conciliator Greg Long.

Our invitation to return to the bargaining table remains an open one.

(2) Information for Members Considering Going Back to Work

The York administration has targeted particular departments and faculties to ask CUPE 3903 members, particularly Teaching Assistants and Contract Faculty, to sign a form indicating that they are willing to return to work.

We recommend showing compassion to those who may be considering returning to work. There are a lot of different pressures that members are experiencing. However, people should be informed of the resources at their disposal and the potential consequences of their decisions. Therefore, please forward the following post widely: Why Shouldn’t I Return to Work?

(3) First Strike Payday on Friday

Over the course of both shifts on Friday, Strike Coordinators will be going line-to-line to deliver the first Strike Pay paycheques. If you do not receive your paycheque on Friday (for whatever reason), you can pick up your cheque from Strike Headquarters anytime after that (once the cheques return from being delivered to the lines).

Consult the Strike Pay page for more information, including what to do if there are issues with your pay.

(4) CUPE 3903 Hotline – Live Starting March 15

CUPE 3903 Members and York University students seeking information can call the CUPE 3903 Hotline at 416-466-8421 (select hours only).

The first week’s hours will be: Thursday, March 15 and Friday, March 16 – 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.

It is expected this service will be available to members and students Monday to Friday. Exact hours to be confirmed each week.

(5) Solidarity Rally Friday

On Friday, March 16, at 3:30, once the other picket lines go down, come to Main Gate (Keele and York blvd) for a solidarity rally featuring federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, as well as other speakers from CUPE 3903 and allies!

(6) Communications Committee Meeting: March 15

Comms Committee
Thursday, March 15
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
CUPE 3903 Strike HQ
45 Four Winds Dr, Unit Q-1

The Communications Committee will meet to discuss coordinating the communications work done by the 8th line, as well as media outreach and other needs as identified by the committee and membership. All interested members are welcome.

(7) Special General Membership Meeting: March 15

Strike SGMM
Thursday, March 15
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Unifor Local 112
30 Tangiers Rd

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.

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.

(8) Strike Committee Call-Around Meeting

Call-Around Meeting
Friday, March 15
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location TBA

At Strike Committee on Tuesday, the decision was made to hold a call-around meeting. All are encouraged to come and they will be provided with a script to do call-arounds to members of CUPE 3903 to discuss the strike and current bargaining issues.

If you cannot make the call-around meeting but would like to help, contact Gizem at g.kezban@gmail.com.