Offers of Settlement would secure CUPE 3903's place among highest paid in country
York University priorities -- securing new contract, helping students

TORONTO, October 26, 2000 -- York University is disappointed that CUPE 3903, the union representing teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants, rejected its fair and reasonable Offers of Settlement and chose to go on strike.

Vice-President (Finance & Administration) Phyllis Clark said the University remains committed to getting back to the bargaining table and negotiating an agreement and to minimizing the disruption to students and their studies. The University remains open, but delays and some cancellations can be expected. Information updates are available on the University Web site (www.yorku.ca).

The University began bargaining with CUPE 3903 in early July, and remains committed to reaching a new collective agreement. After almost 20 bargaining sessions, the University tabled Offers of Settlement with each of the three units last Friday, October 20th in an attempt to reach an agreement. The University believes its settlement offers are fair and reasonable, and requested that CUPE 3903 recommend them to their membership and hold ratification meetings as soon as possible.

"The University has offered CUPE 3903 members, who are among the highest-paid teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants in the country, a comprehensive package," said Clark. "We value their contribution to the University, and have offered them a settlement comparable to agreements reached with other unions on campus, and within the guidelines set out by the government for broader public sector employers," she said.

Clark said the union's proposals are financially unsustainable and would significantly impede the University's ability to fulfil its academic mission and meet its financial responsibilities. To meet their proposals would necessitate a 2.5 per-cent cut across the University to maintain the budget plan.

What is the University's offer?

Unit 1: 1,170 part-time employees/full-time graduate students who teach, demonstrate, tutor and mark an average of 10 hours per week (capped at 270 hours) from September to April

On Wages

a 2 per cent across-the-board wage increase, retroactive to September 1, 2000;

a further 2 per cent across-the-board wage increase, effective September 1, 2001;

full teaching assistantship (TA), now $9,979, increased to $10,179 (2000-2001)/$10,383 (2001-02);

this breaks down to $37.70 per hour in 2000-01(up from $36.96 per hour) and $38.46 per hour in 2001-02.

Teaching assistants at York University are among the highest-paid in the country.

On Graduate Financial Assistance

In addition to the full TAship, the University has agreed with CUPE 3903's proposal to base-fund an extra $100 per term so that they would be guaranteed $420 per term (i.e. to $1,260) up from $320 per term.

In the 1999-2000 collective agreement, CUPE 3903 agreed that clauses which provided relief against increases in graduate tuition fees above the 1999 level of fees would end effective April 30, 2001. The University has agreed to extend this relief for all current employees for the duration of their uninterrupted membership in the bargaining unit.

The Minimum Guarantee Fund will continue to provide additional assistance to eligible employees who receive less than $3,650 during the summer and fall/winter terms.

On Benefits

University agreed with CUPE's proposal to convert funding for the Family Benefits Plan -- previously funded on a one-time-only basis -- to committed base funding.

Full-time graduate students at York employed as TA's enjoy comparatively superior and comprehensive benefits (dental, drug, vision, long-term disability and family benefits).

Other Forms of Support

The University has agreed to base-fund the Books/Supplies Fund, Masters Bursary Fund, PhD Completion Fund, and Ways and Means Fund.

The University has agreed to additional base increments for the Graduate Student Bursary Fund, Research Costs Funds and Professional Development Fund.

Unit 2: 680 contract (part-time) faculty

On Wages

a 2 per-cent across-the-board wage increase, retroactive to September 1, 2000;

a further 2 per-cent across-the-board wage increase, effective September 1, 2000;

one full course directorship to increase from $11,221 to $11,445 (2000-01)/$11,674 (2001-02);

collective agreement allows contract faculty to teach up to 5.5 course directorships per year;

for 2001-02, employees teaching 3 course directorships would earn a base wage of $35,022; employees teaching 4 course directorships would earn a base wage of $46,696; and employees teaching 5.5 course directorships would earn a base wage of $64,207;

Employees also receive 4 per-cent vacation pay on top of their base wage.

Contract faculty at York University are among the highest-paid in the country.

On Benefits

The University has agreed to convert the funding for the Family Benefits Plan -- previously funded on a one-time-only basis -- to committed base funding.

Contract faculty at York enjoy comparatively superior and comprehensive benefits (dental, drug, vision, long-term disability and family benefits).

On Professional Development Funds

The University has agreed to base-fund increments to the following professional development funds:

Research Grants

Conference Travel

Teaching Development

Professional Development
as well as topping up the Professional Expense Allowance.

On Job Security:
Affirmative Action/Conversion Appointments and Long Term Special Renewable Contracts

The University has committed to maintaining at least two conversions of eligible contract (part-time) faculty to tenure stream (full-time) appointments in 2000-2001.

The University has guaranteed at least two such conversions in 2001-2002.

The University has agreed to make 5 Special Renewable Contract (SRC) appointments for eligible members (five-year renewable appointments).

The University has proposed an additional 4 SRC appointments in 2001-2002.

Unit 3

This is a first contract for 380 part-time employees registered as full-time graduate students who receive financial assistance from or through the University. The graduate assistants are employed in administrative, clerical and research work. Research Assistants are not in the bargaining unit. This bargaining unit is comprised primarily of first-year Masters students who are employed once for eight months from September to April for an average of 10 hours per week (capped at 270 hours).

N.B. It is important to note that for many graduate students in the bargaining unit, wages under the collective agreement will comprise only a portion of graduate support. Other forms of support will continue to include, for example, fellowships, bursaries, scholarships and awards. Nothing in the collective agreement restricts or limits in any way the ability of graduate students to receive this additional graduate support and the University will continue its strong commitment to these forms of support for all of its graduate students.

On Wages

$4,500 for a 270-hour Graduate Assistantship in 2000-01;

$4,590 for a 270-hour Graduate Assistantship in 2001-2002;

Any bargaining unit employee whose Graduate Assistantship is currently less than $4,500 will have it increased to $4,500, retroactive to September 1, 2000;

All members will, for the first time, receive an additional 4 per cent of wages in vacation pay.

On Dispute Resolution re. Research Assistants

The University has proposed an expedited dispute resolution process to resolve disputes about whether a graduate student is a Research Assistant, and therefore excluded from the bargaining unit.

On Discrimination and Harassment

The parties have agreed to comprehensive provisions concerning discrimination and harassment, including sexual, gender, racial or ethnic harassment.

On Grievance and Arbitration

The parties have agreed to a grievance and arbitration procedure, including an expedited 2-step grievance process.

Other Provisions
The proposed collective agreement includes a variety of other provisions including:

A clause for Resources for Persons with Disabilities

Comprehensive Health and Safety provisions

Disability/Illness/Injury Leave provisions

Medical Leave provisions

Assignment provisions

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For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Director, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
sinem@yorku.ca
YU/115/00