‘Historic’ agreement contains broad improvements to pay and working conditions, will make York a ‘leader’ on equity issues

 

TORONTO, Ont. By overwhelming margins, members of Units 1 and 3 of Local 3903 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 3903) have voted to ratify a three-year collective agreement with York University.

 

That means the month-long strike at York University is now over.

 

“Our members stood strong and today have voted overwhelmingly in support of their bargaining team, which unanimously recommended approval,” said Faiz Ahmed, Chair of CUPE 3903.

 

“This agreement represents a near-total win for our members and will make York a leader with respect to equity issues,” he added.

 

The three-year agreement ratified today includes improvements to wages and benefits that will improve living and working conditions for 3903 members. Indexation of tuition – based on 2012 levels – a key demand of the union, is also incorporated into this agreement.

 

Additionally, York University has agreed to move forward with a plan to add LGBTQ people to their employment equity policies.

 

Ahmed thanked students, faculty, and the broader campus community, for “their unwavering support and extraordinary patience during the strike. Without this support, this victory, secured by our members’ vision, would not have been possible,” he said.

 

-30-

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Faiz Ahmed, CUPE 3903 Chair, 416-879-7078
Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641