UPE 3903 has succeeded in their bid to bring a reluctant York University administration back to the bargaining table. Negotiations between the union and the university will resume on Thursday, November 27.
“We are keen to restart talks and will work flat out to get an agreement that protects the quality and accessibility of education at York University,” said union spokesperson Rafeef Ziadah.
“We’re looking for a settlement that takes our benefit funds just above 2005 levels, gives job security to contract faculty who have to reapply for their jobs every year, and provides subsistence wages that meet the real costs of living in Toronto,” she added.
In the interest of reaching an agreement the union is refraining from publicizing the details of their proposals.
“We want to preserve the integrity of the collective bargaining process so all students and faculty can get back to their academic work as soon as possible,” said Ziadah.
CUPE 3903 officials are concerned about the increasingly disrespectful tone of York University’s public communications regarding the labour dispute.
“These are the sorts of hardball tactics that pushed us to strike in the first place,” said union executive chairperson Christina Rousseau. “We are calling on the university to stop the public rhetoric and start treating us as valued partners in the education of York students.”