Unfortunately, the Western University administration has not taken action to deal with the understaffing crisis. Staffing levels and wages must be urgently raised to keep up with growth and the rising cost of living, and to ensure a healthy campus experience for staff, students and researchers alike.
The decision-makers at Western University must face the facts:
- Average home prices in the area have gone up by 50% in the last five years.
- Grocery bills have skyrocketed.
- 62% of CUPE 2361 members already work a second or third job to make ends meet.
- Meanwhile, Fanshawe College is paying caretakers more than $5/hr more than Western and tradespeople almost $7/hr more, and Western’s last offer in negotiations won’t close that gap.
Is it any wonder that more than one-third of Western support staff are actively seeking new jobs somewhere else?
