This toolkit is a daily compendium of news and links relating to the strike by Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903, which represents teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants at York University. The strike began on Nov. 6. For immediate information or to report picket line issues, call the Strike Hotline at 416-650-8420.
Mail: If you’re wondering what to do about sending mail, fear not. Nothing much has changed. Outgoing mail should still be placed in the usual collection place in your unit, where Mailing Services will continue to pick it up.
Incoming mail will continue to be delivered as usual.
Mail, courier and other inbound deliveries are being coordinated through an off-campus warehouse and transferred to and from the Keele campus.
Couriers: The three principal courier companies – Federal Express, Purolator, and DHL – have been informed that any deliveries destined for the Keele campus (regardless of location) should be redirected to an off-campus warehouse. Community members not using these courier companies will be responsible for directly informing other courier companies of the new delivery location and referring them to either Procurement Services (ext. 55143) or Mailing Services (ext. 77598) to obtain the warehouse location.
For courier pickup, people can make their own arrangements or contact Mailing Services (ext. 77598) for more options. Normally, people will be asked to put the package with a completed waybill into their mail collection, and the package will go out the next day.
Deliveries: For full details about deliveries, see the Inbound Deliveries bulletin on the Procurement Services page.
Fall Campus Days: The weekend Fall Campus Day events at both campuses will go on as scheduled. The Keele Fall Campus Day is Saturday, Nov. 8, and Glendon’s will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9. See details at the Fall Campus Day page.
CUPE 3903 FAQs: A set of FAQs for employees represented by CUPE Local 3903 has been posted at the Negotiations Update page.
Event cancellations: In keeping with the decisions made by the University regarding suspension of academic activities, the Faculty of Fine Arts has cancelled the following public performances:
Theatre @ York: The Fire Raisers – all performances for the remainder of the run, as follows:
Fri. Nov. 7, 1pm & 7:30pm
Sat. Nov. 8, 7:30pm
World Music Festival – all performances scheduled for Fri. Nov. 7, 10am – 9pm.
General information
Academic activities, including classes and exams, have been suspended for the duration of the strike, with some exceptions. For full details, students and others should go to the York Secretariat Labour Disruptions Information page.
The University is open and employees not represented by CUPE Local 3903 are required to come to work.
Public transit services are still available. However, bus stops are at designated areas outside picket lines. For more information and a map of bus stops, see the Transportation Services Web site. The Keele-Glendon shuttle continues to operate.
Information and regular updates will be posted on the York home page, internal home page, Faculty & Staff page and Current Students page, and in YFile, Ylife and the My YorkU.ca student portal. A series of FAQ and information pages is listed below.
Picketing
It is important to remember that the picketers are members of the York community. They are engaged in a lawful labour dispute with the University. This is a legal strike and it will result in delays and inconvenience.
In a strike, picketers are legally permitted to:
- Carry signs stating the nature of the dispute;
- Speak to you about their concerns;
- Ask you to join the picket line.
Picketers are not legally permitted to:
- Blockade entrances to the University;
- Use force, threats or threatening gestures;
- Construct physical barriers to block access to the University;
- Engage in unlawful behaviour.
Points to remember when approaching the picket line:
- Safety is important. Approach the picket line slowly. If you are driving, plan your approach to the University so that you can make a right turn onto the campus. This will prevent you from being caught in the middle of an intersection in case of delays;
- Whether driving, walking or biking onto campus, be prepared to stop and wait until you can cross through the picket line;
- Be prepared for delays and remember to keep your calm. It is important to operate your vehicle in a safe and lawful fashion.
- You should not engage in any confrontation with picketers. If you are not allowed through the picket line, or if you feel threatened, do not attempt to force your way in, immediately withdraw. Do not become involved in any arguments or any type of altercation.
In the event that despite your best efforts you are unable to proceed to your place of work because of the picketing activity, you must immediately contact your manager and contact the Strike Hotline at 416-650-8420.
If you are intimidated, harassed or otherwise mistreated, inform your manager immediately of the time, place and people involved, and steps will be taken to communicate directly to the union and its members that such activity is not lawful or appropriate. If you are concerned for your health and safety, please contact your manager immediately. You may also provide details to the Strike Hotline at 416-650-8420.
Should you have any other concerns or should any issues arise during the work disruption, immediately contact your manager.
Where to find it
This list is updated regularly
- For information on the status of classes, exams and other academic activities, please go to the York Secretariat Labour Disruptions Information Web page.
- For updates on negotiations, please visit the Negotiations Update page.
- Students and prospective students seeking more information about the strike should visit the Division of Students Frequently Asked Questions page.
- Undergraduate students living in residence should visit the Undergraduate Housing Frequently Asked Questions page.
- Graduate students and others living in the York Apartments should go to the York Apartments Frequently Asked Questions page.
- Faculty and librarians should go to the Frequently Asked Questions for Faculty and Librarians page.
- Non-academic staff should visit the Frequently Asked Questions for Staff page.
- Employees represented by CUPE Local 3903 should see the Frequently Asked Questions prepared by Human Resources & Employee Relations.
- Transit information is available at the Transportation Services page.
- Hours of operation for food services are posted at the Food Services page.
- Information about library services is available at the York University Libraries news page.
- Information about inbound deliveries, including couriers, is available at the Procurement Services page.