(TORONTO, ON) – International Programs teaching staff at the University of Toronto’s New College are the newest members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
“We’re thrilled. This has been a long road, and we’re glad to focus on our students again. But we needed a good union to help us create a fair workplace,” said Dan Brielmaier, an instructor at New College and a member of this new bargaining unit.
The group delivers intensive programs in the English language, cultural competence and an introduction to the conventions of the academic world, and will be part of CUPE Local 3902, which represents contract academic staff at U of T.
“These workers are an indispensable component of our university, and they deserve better treatment from their employer,” said Amy Conwell, Chair of CUPE 3902.
The university used a series of technical and procedural objections to delay the Ontario Labour Relations Board decision for seven months, despite a unanimous “yes” vote in October 2019.
“The unanimous vote and ultimate decision show what can happen when people stick together and organize,” said Kristy Davidson, a CUPE representative who has been working with the group. “With the strength and support of Canada’s leading union for university workers, these instructors have made a choice that will benefit teaching staff at New College for generations to come.”
CUPE has the strongest collective agreements for university workers in Canada and represents 70,400 workers spanning 233 collective agreements in the post-secondary education sector.
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For more information, please contact:
Amy Conwell, Chair, CUPE 3902
416-572-0185
[email protected]
Craig Saunders, CUPE Communications
416-576-7316
[email protected]
kw/cope491
