TORONTO, ON – Striking academic workers at York University will hold a mass rally and march in support of fair collective bargaining and quality public post-secondary education this afternoon.

Today’s rally and march will coincide with the end of balloting in a forced ratification vote ordered last week by the Ministry of Labour. Voting closes at 10 a.m. this morning and results are expected to be announced shortly thereafter.

At 1:30 p.m. today, members of Local 3903 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 3903) will assemble in front of the Provincial Ministry of Labour building, located at 400 University Avenue. They will be joined by campus and community allies, who will accompany them on a march to Queen’s Park.

WHAT:       Rally for fair collective bargaining and quality post-secondary education.

WHERE:    Assemble at Ministry of Labour building, 400 University Avenue, march to Queen’s Park will commence at                              approximately 2 p.m.

WHEN:      Monday, April 9, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

WHO:        Members of CUPE 3903, labour, campus and community allies (Speakers to include representatives of CUPE                        3903, CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn and others).

Media interested in covering this event are encouraged to contact Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications. Contact information is provided below.

Units 1, 2 and 3 of CUPE 3903, representing teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants at York University, began strike action on March 5, in an effort to secure a fair contract that protects quality post-secondary education.

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For more information:

Please contact: Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641

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