TA Strike Update

Hello EEBers,

This e-mail is on behalf of the CUPE 3902 representatives in the EEB department. We know that some of you are concerned about what the implications of a possible strike could mean for you as a student. To help explain what is currently going on with the negotiations (and to help address any questions you may have), there is a Town Hall meeting (described below), occurring today at 12 in Sidney Smith Hall, Room 2117.

As well, representatives from CUPE 3902 in the EEB department are here to address any questions or concerns you have more directly. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. Whatever the outcome regarding a potential strike, we want to minimize any impact this would have on you.

Best,

Your CUPE 3902 EEB Reps

Adam Cembrowski (a.cembrowski@mail.utoronto.ca) (Please direct correspondence to Adam)
Nick Mirotchnick (nicholas.mirotchnick@utoronto.ca)
Lorna O’Brien (lorna.obrien@utoronto.ca)
Greg Stegeman (g.stegeman@utoronto.ca)

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Are you a U of T student? Worried about a strike? CUPE 3902 will be hosting a series of town halls on all three campuses to help members of the U of T community learn about the bargaining process. U of T TAs and Course Instructors are bargaining for a higher quality, more accessible education for both undergraduate and graduate students. Find out how we can work together. Come get informed!

Teaching Assistants at the University of Toronto have been bargaining with the U of T Administration, trying to reach a new contract, since the summer. On December 9th, the Administration walked away from direct negotiations and filed for “conciliation.” This means that a conciliator (mediator) from the Ontario Ministry of Labour will work with the parties to help them reach a collective agreement.

If this effort fails, we would unfortunately find ourselves in a legal strike/lockout position. This means that the Administration would be able to literally “lock-out” your TAs preventing them from working and getting paid until they agree to the Administration’s demands, while the union would have the right to launch a legal strike.

CUPE 3902 is doing everything it can to avoid a strike. We know that a strike would be as disruptive to you as it would be to our members. We want to keep all members of the U of T community as informed as possible about what is going on.

 
UPCOMING TOWNHALL MEETINGS:

Bargaining Information Session for Graduate Students (View event poster)
Tuesday, January 17, 5-6:30pm
OISE Rm 2214, 252 Bloor Street West

Bargaining Information Session for Undergraduate Students (View event poster)
Wednesday, January 18th from 12-1pm
Sidney Smith Hall, Room 2117

Bargaining Information Session for Students, Parents, Members of the UTM Community (View event poster)
Thursday, January 19th from 12-1pm
Davis Building, Room 2074

Bargaining Information Session for Students, Parents, Members of the UTSC Community (View event poster)
Thursday, January 19th from 1-2pm
U of T Scarborough, Room SW143

If you have any questions please contact Katie Mazer at ilo@cupe3902.org.
For background information visit www.cupe3902.org.

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