Strike dates loom for education workers at York University and U of T

TORONTO – Students at York University and University of Toronto are being warned that classes may be interrupted as two strike dates loom for education workers at both institutions in the coming weeks.

The union representing over 3,700 staff at York University issued a statement Wednesday indicating that workers voted 79 per cent for a strike to be set for March 3.

The strike affects contract faculty, teaching assistants, graduate assistants and research assistants.

“On February 10, the Ontario Ministry of Labour issued a “no board” report, which puts the union in a legal strike position as early as February 27,” CUPE 3903 wrote in a statement.

“However, in order to maximise the chances of a negotiated settlement, the union has extended its strike deadline to March 3, scheduling three additional bargaining meetings with the Employer.”

In addition to wages, job security for contract faculty, improved graduate funding and equity in the workplace are the issued under contention.

Meanwhile, the union representing close to 7,000 non-tenured staff at the University of Toronto say its members are also poised to strike Feb. 27.

Members of CUPE 3902 have been seeking a new collective agreement since mid-2014 with wages, healthcare benefits and job security as the main sticking points.