Several balloted votes took place at the July 26 General Membership Meeting. The results are as follows:

Ways and Means Committee: Chantell Morais

Bylaw Amendment: Article 17 2. Election of Negotiating Teams – delete point (f) to remove the selection of a chief negotiator

For: 24
Against: 1

Amendment passes

Bylaw Amendment: Article 14(iii) – Specify that election ballots must be locked away and create recount policies

For: 23
Against: 2

Amendment passes

Bylaw Amendment: Article 10 – Change the election of the Research Grants Fund and Travel Costs Fund Committee to September

For: 24
Against: 1

Amendment passes

Joanne Wadden has resigned from the position of Chief Steward Unit 4 due to a job opportunity. Best of luck Joanne!

Nominations are now open to fill this vacancy, and will close on August 8 at 5pm. This position is open to any member of Unit 4 (part-time librarians) in good standing. Candidates must fill out a nomination form, available at the CUPE 3903 office (143 Atkinson), and sign the register. The nomination form must be signed by two members of Unit 4.

After many months of negotiations following the April 11 mediation date, CUPE 3903’s Unfair Labour Practice (ULP) suit has been placed in abeyance. This means that the Ontario Labour Board, as well as both parties, have agreed not to hold hearings on this matter for the time being, so that we can focus on bargaining. As per the agreement, once we are in a strike or lock-out position, the matter can be brought before the Board once again. This means that York is on notice: bargain in good faith or this ULP will return, right as tensions are highest.

More information on the ULP is available below.

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CUPE 3903 General Membership Meeting
Date: July 26, 2017
Location: Harry Crowe, 109 Atkinson
4pm-7pm

Join and share the event on Facebook here!

Tentative Agenda:

1. Roll Call of Officers
2. Reading of the Equality Statement
3. Reading of the Mississauga Land Acknowledgement
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Approval of June 27, 2017 GMM Minutes
6. Treasurer’s Report
7. Bargaining Team Report & Proposals
   1. Bargaining Parameters (for reference)
   2. Bargaining Team Report
   3. Continuing with Bargaining Proposals (brought forward by Bargaining Team)
8. Notices of Motion
   1. Donation to Rising Tide Toronto for Toxic Tour event ($1,500)
   2. Donation to WCCC Toronto for Stolen Land: 150+ Years of Occupation, Exploitation, and Genocide event
9. Committee Updates
   1. Vacancies
   2. Nominations
   3. Acclamations
   4. Elections
10. Matters Arising (time permitting)
    1. Destruction of Ballot Boxes
    2. Donation to Toronto Against Fascism ($1,000)
    3. Donation to Parkdale Organize for Parkdale Rent Strike
    4. Donation to the YU Divest Campaign ($1,000)
    5. Proposed bylaw amendment to Article 10: Committees
    6. Proposed bylaw amendments to Article 14: III Election(s) Phase
11. Executive Reports
12. Adjournment

Please contact Sheila Wilmot at CUPE3903.equity.officer@gmail.com or at 416-736-5154 ext. 3 if you require any of the following: 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.

There are currently four committees with vacancies: Ways & Means Committee, CUPE Toronto District Council, Labour Management Committee (Unit 3 only), and Toronto & York Region Labour Council. A description of each committee can be found below. If you would like to get involved, sitting on a committee (or two!) is a great way to contribute to your local. Every committee position includes an honorarium.

The nomination period is open until July 25, 5 pm. To nominate yourself, email Julian at cupe3903vpu2@gmail.com. Contested positions will be elected at the July 26 General Membership Meeting.

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Job title: Graphic Designer
Location: CUPE 3903, York University, Toronto

CUPE 3903 is a local of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing Teaching Assistants, Contract Faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Part-time Librarians and Archivists.

We require the assistance of a professional graphics designer who can produce visual materials as part of a bargaining campaign for internal and external communications. The content will be distributed on our website, social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter in particular), as well as through conventional printed leaflets and advertisements.

We project that most of the work will take place over the month of August. Applicants must be available to attend meeting and complete design-related tasks in the period from July 2017 to November 2017. The successful candidate is expected to work with their own software and facilities. Hours are flexible.

The successful candidate will be required to work in conjunction with the CUPE 3903 Communications Committee. The Committee will seek to provide initial guidance, ongoing feedback, as well as final approval of the work that is done.

Preference will be given to applicants who are members of CUPE 3903, or, should none be found, members of a union.

This is a non-unionized position in a unionized workplace in which staff are members of CUPE 1281.

Remuneration will be $53.31 per hour. The length of the contract cannot exceed 150 hours. There shall be no contracting out or sub-contracting for any of the work described in the job posting. The employer will not cover software costs.

Please submit your letter of interest, C.V., and samples of previous work by 5 pm on July 21, 2017 via email:

To: cupe3903comms@gmail.com
Subject: Application for Graphics Designer

Interested applicants may direct any queries to cupe3903comms@gmail.com.

CUPE 3903 is committed to employment equity and particularly encourages applications from persons with one or more disabilities, lesbian, bisexual, gay, two-spirited, queer and trans persons, persons from racialized groups, Aboriginal persons, and women.

CUPE 3903 General Membership Meeting
Date: June 27, 2017
Location: Harry Crowe, 109 Atkinson
12pm-3pm

Join and share the event on Facebook here!

Tentative Agenda:

1. Roll Call of Officers
2. Reading of the Equality Statement
3. Reading of the Mississauga Land Acknowledgement
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Approval of May 30 GMM Minutes
6. Treasurer’s Report
7. Bargaining Team Report
   1. Bargaining Parameters (for reference)
   2. Bargaining Proposals (to be brought forward by Bargaining Team)
8. Notices of Motion
9. Committee Nominations, Vacancies, Acclamations, Elections
   1. Acclamations
   2. Vacancies
10. Matters Arising
    1. Donation to Toronto Against Fascism ($1,000)
    2. Donation to Parkdale Organize for Parkdale Rent Strike
    3. Donation to the YU Divest Campaign ($1,000)
    4. Proposed bylaw amendment to Article 10: Committees
    5. Proposed bylaw amendments to Article 14: III Election(s) Phase
11. Executive Reports
12. Adjournment

Please contact Sheila Wilmot at CUPE3903.equity.officer@gmail.com or at 416-736-5154 ext. 3 if you require any of the following: 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.

On June 9th, Body Blitz, a “women’s” only spa in Toronto, denied access to a Trans woman. In the response that followed it became clear that this is not the first time Body Blitz has discriminated against trans women; indeed their policy is to only allow particular types of women to use their services. The Trans Feminist Action Caucus of CUPE 3903 condemns this act as a form of transphobic discrimination and as a violation of human rights. Canada’s Bill C-16 prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression.

We understand that many members use Body Blitz as a form of self-care, but until it becomes an accessible and trans inclusive space, we call on CUPE 3903 members to boycott Body Blitz, unsubscribe from their mailing list, and leave them a comment about why you are doing so.

We consider Body Blitz as a transphobic space until they publicly apologize and change their policies to include all women.

To read more about this incident, please go to the following link.

1. Do you feel safe with GoSafe? Tell us your stories

It has come to the attention of CUPE 3903 Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) members that GoSafe at Keele campus has in at least one emergency instance refused to respond to calls for walk along service in a particular location on campus. The JHSC is bringing the issue to the employer. If you have had similar issues or other concerns related to GoSafe please contact jhsccupe3903@gmail.com.  

2. Notice of Construction in Biology labs at Glendon

CUPE 3903 JHSC has been notified of construction taking place between May 23, 2017 and Oct. 31, 2017 in Glendon York Hall – Biology. Renovations and alterations are being made to rooms 219 & 343. The notice states,

“The contractor/Campus Services and Business Operations employee doing the work has been advised to take all reasonable precautions to minimize the disruption of normal activities and the risk to the health and safety of employees. The following causes of discomfort/inconvenience may occur: dust, noise, overhead hazards, congested work area, restricted access, fumes (adhesives, paint & other finishes).”

Local Area Contact Person for this project: Patrick Banville, patrick.banville@glendon.yorku.ca Project contact: Theo Arvantis, theo@yorku.ca, 416-984-8976

For more information on Workplace Health and Safety Roles and Responsibilities: http://vpfa.info.yorku.ca/files/2013/11/RenConstGuide.pdf

Workers are to notify their supervisor or manager if they have any health or safety concern regarding the construction site, or in their workplace in general. If you have personal health concerns where certain types of repair and maintenance work may have an impact on your health, you should also report to your supervisor.

We want to encourage you to contact the CUPE 3903 JHSC if you have any concerns that are not being addressed, or if you are uncomfortable contacting your supervisor with concerns. Contact CUPE 3903 JHSC: jhsccupe3903@gmail.com 

3. Notice of Construction at Glendon Athletic Club

CUPE 3903 JHSC has been notified of construction taking place between May 22, 2017 and July 10, 2017 in Glendon Athletic Club. Renovations and alterations are being made to the squash courts (the installation of new glass back walls for courts 3 & 4). The notice states:

“The contractor/Campus Services and Business Operations employee doing the work has been advised to take all reasonable precautions to minimize the disruption of normal activities and the risk to the health and safety of employees. The following causes of discomfort/inconvenience may occur: dust, noise, overhead hazards, congested work area, restricted access.”

Local Area Contact Person for this project: Aaron Rodrigues, arodrigues@glendon.yorku.ca Project contact: Theo Arvantis, theo@yorku.ca, 416-984-8976

For more information on Workplace Health and Safety Roles and Responsibilities: http://vpfa.info.yorku.ca/files/2013/11/RenConstGuide.pdf

Workers are to notify their supervisor or manager if they have any health or safety concern regarding the construction site, or in their workplace in general. If you have personal health concerns where certain types of repair and maintenance work may have an impact on your health, you should also report to your supervisor.

We want to encourage you to contact the CUPE 3903 JHSC if you have any concerns that are not being addressed, or if you are uncomfortable contacting your supervisor with concerns. Contact CUPE 3903 JHSC: jhsccupe3903@gmail.com