On Dec. 1, the Ontario Ministry of Labour announced that an agreement between CUPE 3903 and York University is far from being reached.
It has been nearly a month since workers called a strike and classes were put on hiatus. There are no negotiations being scheduled for the moment until the parties have reflected on their proposed framework.
Throughout the strike, contract faculty members have been bargaining for their lives. Because of government under funding, York has relied on contract faculty to carry a bulk of the university workload while putting them under measly work standards. Contract faculty members must reapply every term year after year while receiving low wages and benefits. While they have a lot to lose, they also have a lot to gain from this strike.
Below is a list of some of the main struggles and settlements between the Union and York University.
Issues that are still unsettled:
• Increase Collective Agreement Funds: The Union wants to ensure that future growth in membership won’t cut back on funding for the entire union. However, York has proposed to apply this protection only on certain funds, excluding such funds as the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).
• Post-Retirement Benefits: York proposed a $1500 per year coverage in these benefits for contract faculty. However, union members argue that the coverage is inadequate for retirees who may come across serious health issues.
• Job Security: The Union wants contract faculty members with five or more years of work at the university to be guaranteed $75, 000 under a 3.0 course load, to be moved into the York University Faculty Association (YUFA) and receive eligibility for Special Renewable Contracts (SRC). The Union wants these contracts to match closely to that of tenured professors. However, York’s proposals for job security were insufficient.
• Minimum Guaranteed Funding: An agreement has yet to be made that would effectively increase funding for teaching assistants and graduate assistants.
Issues that have been settled:
• An increase in dental, vision and orthodontic care.
• Insurance plan for paramedical services.
Click to hear Terry, a contract faculty member of CUPE 3903, talk about the current struggles of the strike.
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