From: Marsha Niemeijer
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2000 2:39 PM
Subject: please distribute to all your lists/email contacts!
December 22nd, 2000
EIGHT WEEK STRIKE AT YORK UNIVERSITY, TORONTO, CANADA
A FORCED RATIFICATION VOTE IS BEING IMPOSED ON OUR UNION!!!
2000 Teaching Assistants, Contract Faculty and Graduate/Research Assistants have now been on strike at York University since October 26th, 2000. We, members of CUPE local 3903 (Canadian Union of Public Employees), have been on strike for tuition indexation, job security and a fair first contract for the newly unionized Graduate/Research Assistants.
AN UNACCEPTABLE OFFER:
Last week, after the first significant round of bargaining since the strike started on October 26th, the employer tabled a final offer. This offer was extensively discussed by hundreds of members at our last general meeting and overwhelmingly deemed insufficient. Based on our Union's constitution, the executive then reviewed the offer and voted AGAINST bringing forward the offer for ratification by our members. This decision was a clear reflection of an internal democratic discussion by the membership.
And yet - the employer has requested a forced ratification vote, to be conducted January 4th/5th, 2001, under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour.
AN UNACCEPTABLE ANTI-DEMOCRATIC/UNION-BUSTING TACTIC:
The executive, following the lead of the membership, has clearly stated it will recommend a NO vote and has undertaken an extensive NO campaign. This is an extremely aggressive, coercive, and anti-union move on the employer's part, one which undermines the democratic structures of our Union. It is also an affront to the entire York University community, and goes against the principles of collegial and collective decision making that the York University administration pretends to uphold.
WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH:
Why should we not be surprised by this newest tactic by the employer? This is what we have endured for the past eight weeks:
Thursday Oct. 26th - CUPE 3903 goes on strike at York University.
Week 1 (Oct. 30th) - York University claims the Union does not want to meet. We disclaim this constantly, stating that we are on strike because of the concessionary bargaining being forced on us. We are ready to meet provided we are not asked to consider any rollback to our expired contract. We are also on strike for a fair first contract for graduate and research assistants. Towards the end of the week the employer announces bargaining will resume.
Week 2 (Nov. 6th) - The employers externally hired lawyer is not available immediately and it takes them four days to arrange for resumption of bargaining. The very next day after talks have resumed the employer declares that the union has not respected previously agreed upon picket protocol and threatens the Union with trespassing and eviction off their private property. The Union stays put.
Week 3 (Nov. 13th) - Bargaining is extremely slow. The Union moves on significant issues, but continues to be met with a stony NO to our demands. A tough decision is made to remain at the table nonetheless. A weekend recess from bargaining is nonetheless welcomed.
Week 4 (Nov. 20th) - Bargaining resumes, with a government appointed mediator. At the same time, the employer resorts to scandalous acts against our picketers. They remove our safety equipment from 'their' property and delay all attempts the Union undertakes to have the equipment returned to us. They turn off the lights at one of the entrances to York University during a night shift. They send a fax to the national media and police claiming that our members have been involved in illegal activities, such as laying booby traps (all accusations have yet to be substantiated). The police gets involved and the Union is forced to phase out the use of some of our safety equipment.
Week 5 (Nov. 27th) - The employer breaks off talks at the last minute, and states that they will only return to the table if we indicate a willingness to move significantly on outstanding issues. We have moved on some of those issues and return their insulting statement saying that they are employing bullying tactics, that we will not bargain with conditions and that it is time that the employer show some movement. At the same time York University Senate restructures the Fall Semester in such a way that even if we were to settle in December, our members would have no work to go back to until January 2001.
Week 6 (Dec. 4th) - No talks all week. We spend time diversifying our actions on and beyond the picket lines, and constantly request that York University's bargaining team get back to the table.
Week 7 (Dec. 11th) - Bargaining finally resumes for a third round. The employer tables a final offer 30 minutes before our weekly general members meeting. The bargaining team explains the offer to our members, who reject it flatly. The bargaining team does not recommend it to the executive for ratification and the executive votes overwhelmingly against bringing the offer to the members for ratification. At the same time the members decide that too many members are out of town to make any further ratification possible until the first week of January.
Week 8 (Dec. 18th) - The union continues to broaden the struggle we are waging for accessible quality public education. Members participate in rallies against Bill 132 which would allow for private universities in Ontario. While we wait for bargaining to resume we are notified that the employer has filed for a forced ratification vote with the Ontario Ministry of Labour.
WHY ARE WE SO DETERMINED?
In view of the fact that the CUPE 3903 membership has turned down a fully unacceptable offer, CUPE 3903 is now constantly facing negative media reports. Needless to say, York University is fuelling this and attempting to sway public opinion against us. But there is nothing we are demanding that we deem irresponsible. We are asking for accessible public education. We are opposing the corporatization of public education. The final offer put to us contains the smallest monetary package our Union has received in years.
It is the irresponsibility of York University administration that is risking the academic year, of other students, as well as our own student members. It is the irresponsibility of York University administration that has kept us out for eight weeks. Due to the irresponsible demands of the York University administration, many of our members are enduring extreme financial hardship.
BUT - WE WILL OBVIOUSLY NOT BACK DOWN!!!
For a more detailed summary of our issues, facts and figures, please visit our website at http://strike.cupe3903.tao.ca
You can help us in our struggle by e-mailing, faxing or phoning the President of York University, Lorna Marsden, and demand a just contract for CUPE 3903. Lorna Marsden can be contacted at:
e-mail: presidnt@yorku.ca (please cc. cupe3903@tao.ca)
fax: 416 - 736 5641
phone: 416 - 736 5200
Please forward to others who demand and struggle for the quality and accessibility of public education.
OPPOSE THE CORPORATIZATION AND PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION!!!
In solidarity, CUPE 3903
_________________________________
Marsha Niemeijer
Graduate Student Worker, York University
CUPE 3903
Previous Next Back To Index