Organizing4Power is holding its fourth training event. This training is FREE. It is hosted by Jane McAlevey, a very experienced union organizer from the US and these online training workshops are run by Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung. Previous training sessions have hosted over 40 countries and tens of thousands of union and community organizers throughout the world who are trying to learn how to build the power they need to win against bosses, landlords, governments etc. The training starts May 18th and consists of a single two (2) hour long training once a week (every Tuesday) for six (6) weeks (May 18th to June 22nd). Here you will learn the basic foundations of Jane McAlevey’s organizing approach. Her approach is important because it relies on rank and file union members organizing together to build a strong high participation union via a bottom-up driven organizing structure. Members are strongly encouraged to attend if they can. The Group Registration Deadline is May 3rd.
Report Back – Bargaining with the Employer, April 19
During the bargaining session on Monday, April 19, 2021, the Employer presented their “comprehensive” proposal packages to the Bargaining Team (BT), and issued an ultimatum: agree to every proposal, or none of them. After caucusing, the BT rejected the Employer’s proposals for all three units.
General Membership Meeting – April 28th, 2-5pm
We are hosting a General Membership Meeting via Zoom on April 28th, from 2-5pm. At this meeting, the Bargaining Team will be presenting updates and we will discuss the timeline of bargaining going forward. All members are encouraged to attend.
Nominations Open – 6 Delegates for the 29th Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress – Deadline May 14th, 2021
CUPE 3903 is sending 6 delegates to the 29th Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress. The virtual convention will be held virtually from Wednesday, June 16 to Friday, June 18, 2021. Here is the agenda.
Any members who wish to nominate themselves can email VP Unit 1, Chris Little. Nominations will close on Friday May 14th.
Nominate yourself for the TFAC Financial Assistance Fund Committee!
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and as per a motion passed by the TFAC membership at the January 28th, 2021 meeting, TFAC is establishing a pilot project: TFAC Financial Assistance Fund.
Three committee members are needed to meet twice and distribute the funds. The committee will provide a report for the membership at the end of the adjudication, and receive a $100 honorarium upon completion of their service.
TFAC members can submit their nominations to tfac.cupe3903@gmail.com by May 10th at 5:00 pm EST. If more than three members put their names forward, an election will be held at the next TFAC meeting (last week of May).
York University President and Upper Administration Face Allegations of Anti-Black Racism
Despite President Rhonda Lenton’s, Provost & VP Academic, Lisa Phillips’, and members of York University’s upper administration’s recent attempts to improve its public relations campaign on anti-Black racism, the university faces serious allegations of a coverup. Their attempts to suppress Professor Aimé Avolonto’s charges of racism in his department has backfired and now become a national scandal, with coverage on the CBC’s National. The professor has written a detailed report of the events that have transpired since making his first complaint in 2017, when he asked for a fair and proper investigation into the situation. It is quite regrettable that Lenton and Phillips, who have taken anti-Black racism pledges in the media, have simultaneously taken aggressive steps to terminate his professorship. Multiple students’ testimonies attest to their admiration, love and respect for Professor Avolonto; he has been teaching at York University since 2004, and was twice elected Chair in his department. It is a treacherous situation when complainants seeking an investigation into racism become instead the very target of racist attacks.
Sign the petition and support Professor Aimé Avolonto’s fight for justice.
On Thursday, April 8th, a press conference was held. Watch the entire press conference. Find out more about the campaign to support Prof. Avolonto.
Report Back—Mediated Bargaining on Post-Retirement Benefits and Employment Equity
On April 10 and 11, the CUPE 3903 Bargaining Team (BT) met with mediator Chris Albertyn. Discussions focused on post-retirement benefits, employment equity, and the new job security program Transitional Continuing Appointments (TCA). The Union’s updated proposal package can be reviewed here.
Bargaining SGMM (April 16th, 2021)
We are hosting a Bargaining Special General Membership Meeting via Zoom on April 16th at 12:30pm to 3:30pm! At this meeting, the Bargaining Team will be discussing the implication of the Employer filing for conciliation, and will strategize next steps with input from membership. All members are encouraged to attend.
Notice – Consultation with Unit 1 Members on Framework and Action Plan for Black Inclusion – April 23rd (9am)
CUPE 3903 is inviting Black-identified Unit 1 members to a consultation on York University’s Framework and Action Plan on Black inclusion.
CUPE 3903 has successfully advocated for a consultation of Black identified Unit 1 members with VP Equity, People, and Culture, Sheila Cote-Meek.
Committee Vacancies – Deadline for All Nominations is Sunday, April 25th (5pm)
Nominations for two Elections Officers are now open. These positions will be acclaimed or elected at the April 28th GMM.