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Unit 1 Bargaining News
Up one levelCheck here regularly for updates on bargaining for Unit 1 (students and postdocs who work as TAs, Course Instructors, Lab Demonstrators, Marker-Graders, Invigilators, etc.). For more detailed information or for media interviews, please contact Bargaining Team Spokesperson Rebecca Sanders at 647.225.3902.
- Union and University make joint application for conciliation posted on December 19, 2008 05:35 PM
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Strike Votes Work!
After three days at the bargaining table post-strike vote, your bargaining team has won some important victories! Thanks to the positive strike mandate, the parties have been able to sign off on improved maternity leave and the introduction of parental leave for members. Also, the parties have signed off on an additional hour of paid training, release time from work around major academic deadlines, and an improved wage rate for assistant invigilators. Thanks for the yes vote!
Despite this positive momentum, the Union and the Employer have decided to file jointly for conciliation. The Ontario Labour Board will appoint a conciliator soon, and mediated negotiations will begin in January.
- Strike Vote Q & A posted on November 20, 2008 11:52 AM
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Everything you ever wanted to know about a strike vote and weren't afraid to ask. (Polling locations are on the Home page.)
Does a Strike Vote mean we will be on strike?
NO. A Strike Vote authorizes the Executive Committee to call a strike if all other avenues for a settlement fail. The process requires the membership in a meeting to set a strike date. The process also requires regular consultation with the membership at all key points in the process.
Why do we need a Strike Vote?
The Administration team has said NO to all the major demands made by the membership in this round of bargaining. In addition, they have proposed a number of take-aways (reductions in current protections/benefits). When talking at the table no longer results in progress towards a collective agreement, unions have little choice other than to ask for a strike mandate.
But is a Strike Vote really necessary?
YES. In the 14 contracts we have negotiated with the UofT since 1975, we have only made gains/avoided losses when we have had a strong strike mandate from the membership. In years in which we have either not taken a strike vote (or have lost one), we have taken serious losses in our contracts. The good news is we have only had to go on strike 3 times in 33 years.
What is the process?
The political process within the Local calls for us to have another meeting to open the Strike Vote. Currently, that meeting is set for December 3. That meeting will officially vote to start the Strike Vote. Ballots will open immediately and continue for several days on all 3 campuses. Everyone who is working as a TA/Course Instructor/lab demonstrator/etc gets to vote in a secret ballot. If a majority votes in favour, the Union may legally call a Strike. A subsequent meeting of the membership will set a strike date if necessary. In addition to the political process within the Local, we also have to comply with the conciliation procedures of Ontario. Once we hit an impasse, we ask the Minister of Labour to appoint a conciliation officer to try and mediate differences. These people can be very helpful. Over 95% of Collective Agreements in Ontario are settled at or before conciliation. If conciliation fails then the parties are in a legal strike/lockout position 17 days later. Most of our contracts have been settled at or before conciliation.
Will I get paid if we go on strike?
YES – if you do picket duty for the Union. Obviously UofT doesn’t pay you to strike (although they keep paying your scholarship/fellowship). However, the Union can pay up to $200/week (tax free) for picket or related duties. In addition, if the strike causes financial hardship, the strike benefits committee is authorized to make interest-free loans.
What about my animals that I need to feed in my lab?
The strike will not prevent you from doing what you need to do to keep your thesis research alive. Our Local is heavily science-based, we know that our members have obligations that go beyond classroom teaching.
- Bargaining Bulletin #9, November 28 posted on November 19, 2008 06:20 PM
- Bargaining Bulletin #8, November 21, 2008 posted on November 18, 2008 10:50 AM
- Bargaining Bulletin #7, November 7, 2008 posted on November 07, 2008 03:55 PM
- CUPE 3907 support letter posted on November 06, 2008 07:19 PM
- OISE Graduate Assistants sent a letter of support for CUPE 3902's bargaining demands to UofT President Naylor.
- UTSU support letter posted on November 06, 2008 06:15 PM
- The University of Toronto Students' Union, representing UofT undergrads, sent a letter to President Naylor in support of our bargaining demands.
- GSU support letter posted on November 04, 2008 03:11 PM
- The Graduate Students' Union sent a letter of support for CUPE 3902's bargaining demands to UofT President Naylor.
- UofT Maintenance Staff support letter posted on November 04, 2008 01:00 PM
- UofT Maintenance Staff, members of CUPE Local 3261, sent a letter of support for CUPE 3902's bargaining demands to UofT President Naylor.
- UofT Library Workers support letter posted on November 04, 2008 01:05 AM
- UofT Library Workers, members of CUPE Local 1230, sent a letter of support for CUPE 3902's bargaining demands to UofT President Naylor.
- UofT Admin Staff (Steelworkers) support letter posted on November 03, 2008 05:34 PM
- UofT Admininstrative Staff, members of United Steelworkers Local 1998, sent a letter of support for CUPE 3902's bargaining demands to UofT President Naylor on November 3.
- Our main bargaining demands posted on November 03, 2008 05:20 PM
- Please find below two postcards designed to communicate our demands to the University community.
- Unit 1 Bargaining Bulletin #6, Oct 31, 2008 posted on November 03, 2008 05:15 PM
- Unit 1 Bargaining Bulletin #5, October 10 posted on October 10, 2008 03:55 PM
- Unit 1 Bargaining Bulletin #4, October 3 posted on October 06, 2008 04:23 PM
- Unit 1 Bargaining Bulletin #3, September 26 posted on October 03, 2008 03:55 PM
- Unit 1 Bargaining Bulletin #2, September 19 posted on September 19, 2008 03:55 PM
- Unit 1 Bargaining Bulletin #1, August 12 2008 posted on September 01, 2008 04:15 PM
- Grad Funding Memo from Cheryl Misak posted on September 01, 2008 03:55 PM
- Dean Pfeiffer's Response Re: Grad Funding posted on May 10, 2008 03:55 PM
Unit 1 Members Meeting