TORONTO, Ont. – At a special membership meeting this afternoon, striking education workers from the University of Toronto, members of Unit 1, Local 3902 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 3902-1) voted 789 to 739 in favour of sending a tentative agreement reached earlier in the week to a full ratification vote.
“We are pleased to see this agreement go before our full membership,” said Erin Black, Chair of CUPE 3902. “If ratified, this agreement will lock in gains for our members for the duration of the agreement.”
The agreement raises the minimum funding package local members receive from the university from $15,000 to $17,500, guarantees tuition relief for unfunded PhD and Masters students, and assures the continuity of the current semester with a beneficial back-to-work protocol.
While those who attended today’s meeting were also able to cast ratification ballots, all other CUPE 3902-1 members will be able to vote throughout the weekend.
Polling will take place Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eligible voters can cast their ballots at one of the following locations:
University of Toronto-Mississauga-Glen Erin Inn & Spa (1695 The Collegeway), University of Toronto Scarborough Campus-Holiday Inn Express (50 Estate Drive, Suite 245), Downtown CUPE 3902 Offices (180 Bloor Street West), Victoria University-Goldring Students Centre, West Foyer (150 Charles Street West), St. Michael’s College-Carr Hall Lobby (100 St. Joseph Street).
Black urged all eligible members to “be engaged and involved in this very important decision-making process. Whatever the outcome, the greater the turnout, the clearer the message we collectively send to our Employer.”
CUPE 3902-1 represents 6,000 teaching assistants, teaching fellows, demonstrators, tutors, markers, instructors, teaching laboratory assistants, Chief Presiding Officers, invigilators and part-time lecturers. Members have been on strike since February 27.
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For more information, please contact:
Erin Black, CUPE 3902 Chair, 416-806-3902
Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641
