“We made great gains and we’re ready to defend this agreement against attacks”: CUPE Local 3902 members ratify agreement with UofT, and prepare for a potential Bill 124 appeal

Education, University

(Toronto, ON) Sessional lecturers, music professionals, writing instructors and sessional instructional assistants at the University of Toronto made important financial gains with a new collective agreement thanks to union-busting Bill 124 being struck down, says CUPE Local 3902. “Members of Unit 3 came through for students during the pandemic, and yet they faced precarious work…

“We need higher wages, not higher rents”: Striking teaching and research assistants block graduate residence construction

Education, Solidarity, University

(Hamilton, ON) Today, striking teaching and research assistants at McMaster University blocked the construction of a graduate residence owned by the university to shed light on wages failing to keep up with the cost of living. “We’re on strike mainly because McMaster is still pushing little more than poverty wages on us,” said Chris Fairweather,…

University and College faculty, staff and students share concerns as Bill 26 receives royal ascent

Education, University

TORONTO, December 5, 2022- The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the Canadian Federation of Students – Ontario (CFSO) collectively commend the government’s interest in protecting sexual violence survivors. However, we raise concerns about elements of the newly announced Strengthening Post-secondary…

“A good deal can avert a strike”: University of Toronto Sessional Lecturers, Writing Instructors, Music Professionals

University

(Toronto, ON) Sessional Lecturers, Writing Instructors, Music Professionals and others at the University of Toronto are escalating their call for a good deal ahead of a potential strike. “The cost of living is skyrocketing and yet Unit 3 members are subject to wage restraint legislation,” said Amy Conwell, President of CUPE Local 3902. “This is…

“We’re on strike for good jobs and better pay”: CUPE teaching and researching assistants at McMaster head to the picket lines

University

(Hamilton, ON) About 2,800 teaching and research assistants at McMaster University are on strike following an impasse in negotiations, says CUPE Local 3906. “We would rather continue delivering the services students rely on, but we’ve also always been prepared to strike for good jobs if we needed to,” said Chris Fairweather, President of CUPE Local…

“It’s time to support good jobs and avert a strike”: CUPE teaching and researching assistants in final days of bargaining with McMaster

University

(Hamilton, ON) About 2,800 teaching and research assistants at McMaster University are bargaining for better wages and job security ahead of a November 21st strike deadline, says CUPE Local 3906. “We’re still right in the middle of historic inflation and our wages just haven’t been keeping up with the rising cost of living,” said Chris…

“Historic member organizing helped make important gains”: tentative deal between CUPE front-line service workers and U of T

Social Services, Solidarity, University

(TORONTO, ON) A strike has been averted and 700 full time and part time front-line service workers have made important gains in a tentative agreement, says CUPE 3261. “I’m so proud of the members for the powerful example of workplace organizing,” said Allan James, President of CUPE 3261. “Thanks to their historic organizing, we sent…

Resounding strike vote shows that high-quality education needs high-quality academic jobs: McMaster TAs and RAs

University

HAMILTON, ON – Teaching assistants (TAs) and research assistants-in-lieu (RAs) at McMaster University delivered a historically high strike vote last week, demonstrating that they are united in their conviction that the best post-secondary education is one supported by good jobs for the 2500-plus student-academic workers on campus. McMaster TAs and RAs, represented by Local 3906…