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TORONTO, Ont. – Support is growing for striking education workers at University of Toronto and York University.
Despite a heavy snowstorm that blanketed downtown Toronto, the executive board of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario, yesterday, joined striking members of CUPE 3902 on their picket lines.
They were joined by several members of the Ontario New Democratic Party (ONDP) caucus, including ONDP Leader Andrea Horwath.
“We’re so proud to be standing beside you in support of your efforts on behalf of all post-secondary education workers across Ontario,” said Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario, who presented CUPE 3902 with a donation of $5,000 to support the strikers.
“This is just the beginning. I know that, in the days to follow, there will be a groundswell of support for you and your sisters and brothers at York University from CUPE members and CUPE Locals from coast to coast,” he added.
The 6,000 members of CUPE 3902, Unit 1, walked off the job Friday, February 27, in support of their efforts to secure a fair contract that alleviates the poverty-level wages and precarious work environments many members face. They were joined on Monday, March 2, by 3,700 teaching assistants, graduate assistants, and contract faculty at York University who are members of CUPE 3903.
“We’re simply overwhelmed by the outpouring of support we have received from students, from our sisters and brothers in CUPE, and from the broader labour movement,” said CUPE 3902 Chair
Erin Black.
“With their support, I have every confidence that our members will ‘hold the line’ and succeed in securing a fair collective agreement that protects quality post-secondary education,” she added.
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For more information, please contact:
Fred Hahn, CUPE Ontario President, 416-540-3979
Erin Black, CUPE 3902 Chair, 416-806-3902
Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641
