CONTENTS

Updates

(1) No Change in Health Benefits for Striking Members
(2) Picket Line Childcare
(3) Pet Food Donations Available at HQ
(4) CUPE 3903 Hotline Hours

Meetings and Events

(5) Joint BT-Exec Meeting: June 11
(6) Strike Committee Meetings: June 11 & 14
(7) Unfair Labour Practice Hearing: June 13
(8) Strike General Membership Meeting: June 13
(9) Executive Committee Meeting: June 14
(10) All Out! Rally for Decent Work: June 16
(11) Labour of Love: Fundraiser in Support of CUPE 3903: June 16

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The offer that CUPE 3903 made to the York University administration remains on the table until Friday June 8 at 11:59 pm.

This proposal includes the following.

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We are planning child care on the picket lines because we want to include parent members who would like to do picket work but do not have a formal child care arrangement. The Lee Wiggins Child Care Centre offers some part-time spots, but for many members, it is not convenient or desirable to go into campus to use a paid service to facilitate picketing.

While we recognize that some members might be concerned about shade and amenities, we would like to suggest the benefits of an outdoor experience for children. The Main Gate has a number of shady trees under which to play and relax, and there will also be a tent to supply shade. There is a functioning port-a-potty on-site for adults, but for small children, we recognize that this might be difficult. In such cases, we would take children to the bathrooms in Schulich or at the Tim Horton’s across the road. Some members who are parents have indicated on the survey that they can assist with child care. While we are not able to provide ECE certificates from our child care providers, some members have stepped forward as keen to help out with this initiative.

We want to be clear in explaining that this plan is meant to be a CUPE member support to parents who would like to participate in engagement with the strike and earn picket pay, but is not meant to be a full time pre-school or camp program. If members would like to use the service they do so with the understanding that they are likely to be on site at the picket line or doing work at HQ; in either case, they are nearby and available to their children if needed.

The email address cupecaresforkids@gmail.com has been set up to communicate with members who wish to donate their time or toys/board games for the initiative, as well as those who would like to use the service. For those willing to help, please include in what capacity you can help and at what times. If you can donate something, please let us know what.

For those members who want to benefit from the child care service, please include the following information in your email:

• Children’s names
• Number of children
• Ages of children
• Usual picketing location/times
• Any allergies/food sensitivities/restrictions
• Any medications
• Any special needs
• Any other concerns

We will be in touch with you soon.

In solidarity,

CUPE Childcare Committee

On Tuesday, June 5, the employer posted a letter sent to CUPE National regarding payment of benefits for CUPE 3903 members on strike. CUPE National had pre-paid three months starting March 5. The cheque for the month of June has been sent. All members should rest assured that they are free to keep using their benefits.

It is worth noting that this letter to settle a routine matter was posted publicly one day before a meeting where crucial decisions about the future of the strike will be made. One would hope that the employer expects the membership to make decisions based on the value of the offer on the table, rather than out of a fabricated fear that their benefits might be terminated.

CONTENTS

Updates

(1) Following Marathon Mediation, York University Refuses to Reach Settlement
(2) Reminder: Regular Funds Frozen During Strike
(3) Invitation to Comment on CUPE 3903 Childcare
(4) Pet Food Donations Available at HQ
(5) CUPE 3903 Hotline Hours

Meetings and Events

(6) Bargaining Team Meeting: June 4
(7) Joint BT-exec Meeting: June 4
(8) Strike Committee Meeting: June 4
(9) Executive Committee Meeting: June 6
(10) Strike General Membership Meeting: June 6

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On Saturday June 2, and into the early morning hours of Sunday June 3, the CUPE 3903 bargaining team passed several proposals to the employer through experienced mediator Kevin Burkett. The union had previously offered to move significant items to arbitration, including every item that the employer had identified as barriers to settlement. The offer made in mediation moved the union’s position to its very bare bones. Yet, the employer refused to end the strike, now 13 weeks old.

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Following an exchange of correspondence, the union and the employer will partake in mediation with the aid of experienced mediator Kevin Burkett. Both parties have proposed Memoranda of Settlement. The union’s position addresses the employer’s concerns surrounding the proposals that they had previously, in writing, indicated are barriers to settlement.

The meeting will take place on Saturday June 2, beginning at 10 am, Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St. The union’s bargaining team will be in the Wren Room at 9 am. The employer cannot impose limitations on who can be in the union’s room. Members are welcome.

CONTENTS

Updates

(1) CUPE 3903 Memorandum of Settlement
(2) Pet Food Donations Available at HQ
(3) CUPE 3903 Hotline Hours

Meetings and Events

(4) Strike Committee Meeting: May 31
(5) OCAP Rally: Defeat Ford: June 2

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On Wednesday, May 30, the bargaining team representing Teaching Assistants, Contract Faculty and Graduate Assistants proposed an offer of settlement to end the current strike. The offer, presented without prejudice, responds to the issues identified by the employer as “barriers to settlement,” and expires on Friday, June 8 at 11:59 pm. The union invites the employer to engage the services of a mediator to discuss issues remaining on the table.

The union continues to disagree with the employer’s characterization of these barriers, as job security is a reality that all employers in the post-secondary sector must grapple with. Yet in the spirit of continued compromise, the union is offering a hybrid solution, creatively combining negotiation with arbitration on select issues.

The employer has only met with the bargaining team once since the dispute began 87-day days ago. A strategy that completely refuses to engage with key issues at the bargaining table has unnecessarily prolonged this unprecedented strike.

CUPE 3903’s bargaining team has demonstrated it is ready and empowered to settle the labour dispute through compromise. York must also compromise to ensure everyone can get back into the classroom in time to salvage the summer semester.

Read the full offer of settlement here, or see the summary below.

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Strike General Membership Meeting
Wednesday May 30, 2018
5pm-8pm
252 Bloor St. West
OISE Auditorium

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 17, 2018 GMM Minutes
6. Approval of May 23, 2018 GMM Minutes
7. Ongoing Business
   1. May 23 motion to send all U2-specific issues to arbitration
8. Report from Bargaining Team on the Status of Negotiations
9. Report from the Executive + Treasurer’s Report
   1. Extended Strike Planning Committee Budget Report
10. Report by the Strike Committee and Subcommittees on the Conduct of the Strike
11. Strategic Discussion + Motions from the Floor
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.