York University issued the following statement on Sunday, Jan. 4:
The University wishes to emphasize that it will not be commenting on the progress of negotiations between the University and CUPE Local 3903 while these negotiations are taking place.
The reason for this is to protect the integrity of the negotiations process which is complex, delicate and highly iterative. It is not helpful to the negotiations process for details of the ongoing discussions to be published while the two parties are at the table.
Secondly, contrary to recent media reports, any resumption of classes is governed by the University Senate and classes cannot resume until after a tentative settlement has been ratified by the union’s general membership.
Students should verify any media or blog speculation by checking www.yorku.ca. Details regarding Senate Executive academic remediation plans can be found at the University Secretariat’s Labour Disruption Information page or here.
The University also issued this media release on Monday, Dec. 29:
York University announced today that it requested that the provincial mediator convene a resumption of talks with Local 3903 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees on Friday, Jan. 2 in an attempt to resolve the strike that began on Nov. 6.
The University has taken this initiative in an effort to have all classes restarted as soon as possible in the new year, if a fair and sustainable deal can be agreed upon. The mediator has indicated that CUPE 3903 is willing to resume negotiations on Saturday, Jan. 3.