TORONTO, May 9, 1997 -- Negotiators for the York University administration and the York University Faculty Association (YUFA) have accepted and signed a recommendation presented early today from mediator Kevin Burkett. If ratified, the agreement would end the 51-day-old labour dispute.

Burkett, who led 10 days of mediation between the administration and the faculty union, presented the two parties with the following statement:

"In a final effort to bring this strike to an end, I am making a recommendation to resolve all outstanding issues between the parties. Although neither party will achieve its bargaining objectives in their entirety, the terms of settlement that I am recommending provide a fair and honorable basis upon which to end a strike that, if it continues, could do irreparable harm to the institution."

Details of the mediator's recommendations will not be made public until they are put to the YUFA membership. The union, comprised of 1,050 full-time faculty and professional librarians, went on strike March 20, 1997.

"We are very pleased we have been able to reach a tentative agreement through the good offices of the mediator. We believe very strongly that it addresses the major issues the faculty union has expressed as its key concerns," said Vice-President (Academic Affairs) Michael Stevenson.

At a Senate meeting Wednesday, May 7, Senate members voted to approve the following:

That, subject to the ratification of an agreement between the York University Faculty Association (YUFA) and the University administration, Senate concurs with the rescheduling of academic programs as follows:

a) make-up classes for the completion of Fall/Winter Term 1996/97 begin Monday, May 12.

b) undergraduate summer sessions begin Monday, May 20.

c) rescheduled examinations for the Fall/Winter and Winter terms begin Monday, May 20.

Once the results of the ratification vote are known, the University administration will provide scheduling details to students.

"In the interests of students, faculty and the institution at large, we hope that the offer will be ratified so we can get on with the job of offering students the completion of the Fall-Winter term and the commencement of the undergraduate summer session," said Stevenson, adding he hopes the waiting will soon be over for York students anxious to get on with their education.

For more information, please contact: Sine MacKinnon at (416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
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