Here is an update about the strike from thespec.com.
Talks resume in York University strike
Two-month dispute jeopardizes school year
January 05, 2009
Raveena Aulakh
Torstar News Service'
"Students across Ontario head back to school today - unless they attend York University.
York University and the union representing its striking workers have still not reached an agreement, but it's a good sign that talks haven't broken down, said a union member.
"Talks are still going on – that's a very good thing," said Christina Rousseau, chair of CUPE 3903.
Thousands of students - including commuters from Hamilton - have been idled for two months by the strike. The school year is in jeopardy for many, but the province has said it won't intervene in the dispute.
University officials and union representatives will resume bargaining today after negotiations ended late last night. The two sides have been working with a mediator since Saturday. The strike has shut down campus since Nov. 6, when 3,400 teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants walked off the job. This is the third attempt at reaching an agreement.
Workers are demanding better job security, benefits, wages and a two-year contract that will expire at the same time as other Ontario university unions, giving the Canadian Union of Public Employees more province-wide bargaining clout.
Rousseau said job security is a big point of contention. "We want a special contract which gives members five years instead of the eight months they have now," she said last night. "That will allow them to do some long-term planning."
Child care and professional development are also at issue.
A York University spokesperson was not available to comment. "
No comments:
Post a Comment