In the summer, members were curious about what our financial situation is as we go into bargaining. The Exec reported back that the local’s Defense & Strike Fund (what we keep in event of a strike or a lock-out, as was the case in 2008) is very nearly empty. The fund covers member wages for strike pay (picket or alternative duties) for the first ten days of a dispute and covers things like paying for office space off campus. We need about $250,000 to $400,000 in that fund.
At the Special General Membership Meeting on Oct 4th, the Executive was directed by members in attendance to propose to the membership that we institute a 1.5% special levy to help rebuild the fund.
The vote happened at an SGMM on October 26. Notice of this meeting was given via a posting online, a 3903news on October 17, and an FAQ handout that was distributed to member's mailboxes in each department (on or around October 16).
On Oct 26, the levy was approved with a vote of 76 yes to 58 no. The levy was approved by CUPE National (as it must be) on November 4. We are now awaiting confirmation from the administration that the levy will be applied as of November (this depends on if we've met the deadline for requesting payroll changes, which is about three weeks before a pay day). Thus, the levy will apply for either November 2011 to (and including) February 2012 or December 2011 to (and including) March 2012. If new Collective Agreements are bargaining and ratified (agreed to) by membership prior to then, the levy ends. If not, then the levy will apply to four months of pay.