An Open Letter to the Administration of York University,
This is an urgent call for York University to reverse its decision to refuse a deadline extension to Monday, June 18th, as requested by CUPE Local 3903, in order to ensure a fully accessible and transparent democratic process for the re-vote on the CUPE Local 3903, Unit 2 ratification.
As you know, polling stations are open today and tomorrow but CUPE Local 3903 proposed to extend voting till Monday, June 18th, in order to accommodate the participation of members observing the Muslim religious holiday Eid-ul-Fitr. This is a reasonable request, in keeping with the obligation of our union, and I would argue the University, to ensure a fair and accessible accommodation of members on religious grounds. Your own policy on this matter states that, “York University is committed to ensuring that all York community members, including students, staff, faculty, and visitors to the university, receive equal treatment without discrimination on the basis of creed.“
Just like we would never consider holding a ratification vote only on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day or during the first two days of Passover, it is utterly reasonable – and clearly necessary to meet the threshold of all members receiving equal treatment — to ensure that this vote does not only take place today and tomorrow, in conflict with Eid-ul-Fitr observances.
This will require York’s Administration to extend its own, and arbitrary, deadline for the ratification of the CUPE Local 3903, Unit 2 settlement by one business day. I was shocked to learn of York’s apparent refusal to meet this reasonable request to ensure an accessible re-vote.
On behalf of CUPE Ontario and our members at CUPE Local 3903, I am calling on the University to reverse its decision and allow ratification voting to take place on Monday, June 18th to accommodate those members celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr.
Sincerely,
Fred Hahn
President, CUPE Ontario
