TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last week, University of Toronto teaching assistants, course instructors and exam invigilators voted on a tentative agreement after 6 months of bargaining with the University of Toronto. The 7500 employees are represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3902 (CUPE 3902). Union members voted to ratify the agreement on February 16.
The union says a strike seemed almost inevitable in December, but that after a strong strike vote and campaign to mobilize the members, the University took notice and showed up to the bargaining table ready to work with the union’s bargaining team. The deal was struck in the late hours of February 8, after two intense days with a provincial conciliation officer.
The biggest issues at stake were improvements to graduate funding, health benefits, and better pregnancy and parental leaves. The union also secured improvements to wages, as well as the creation of a new paid leave for members in situations of domestic or sexual violence. This leave is the first of its kind at the University of Toronto.
CUPE 3902 Chair Pamela Arancibia reflected on the contract, “We are very happy with what we’ve achieved here. The new contract will have tangible positive effects on members’ lives - that means more money in their pockets, removing barriers to better mental health care, addressing issues that disproportionately affect equity-seeking members.”
The ratification vote was initiated after a membership meeting on February 12. Members at the meeting decided early to cease debate and proceed to a vote on the contract offer. The move by members was unusual.
Of the events at the meeting, CUPE 3902 representative Megan Harris said, “We are committed to the principles of membership engagement, deliberative democracy and parliamentary procedure. We welcome and expect debate on the tentative agreement.” She continued, “At the same time, we respect the rights of our members to lead actions from the floor. We can’t interfere, including in those actions that would limit or cease such debate.”
Over 1100 members cast ballots on the agreement, with 86.1% supporting ratification. All members of CUPE 3902 are employed on short-term contracts of 8 months or less. The union says this precarious employment structure is one of the biggest issues facing members.
Contacts:
Aleks Ivovic
Unit 1 Spokesperson
416-838-3784
Pamela Arancibia
Chair, CUPE 3902
416-593-7057
Kathryn McDonald
CUPE 3902 Staff
613-532-5415