York is seeking input through the Better Workplace Initiative on how it can strengthen relations between campus groups, improve leadership and ensure every member of the York community feels connected, supported and valued.
At the request of President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, Vice-President Academic & Provost Patrick Monahan and Vice-President Finance & Administration Gary Brewer are co-sponsoring a Better Workplace Initiative that will involve broad-based consultation with all employee groups at .jpg)
York.
Right: Rhonda Lenton
The president has been meeting directly with CUPE, YUSA, YUFA, OPSEU, IUOE, OHFA and CPM executive members to discuss the Better Workplace Initiative and Phase 1 – the listening phase – is currently underway. The 
objective is to listen to those who know York’s challenges best and develop a strategy for action.
Left: Sharon Hooper
The initiative grew out of a process begun in early 2010 to improve York’s labour relations environment after the workplace disruption last year. The initiative isn’t simply a reaction to the 2008-2009 strike, but a realization that we at York need and want a better workplace. We know, to build a better workplace, the following is needed:
- Work collectively with unions and other employee groups to identify issues of concern and potential avenues for addressing those issues.
- Foster stronger and more effective union-management relations.
- Seek ways of better valuing all faculty and staff.
- Enhance public confidence in York.
The multi-year, pan-University initiative is being guided by Rhonda Lenton, vice-provost academic, and Sharon Hooper, assistant vice-president human resources, and has the support of York University’s Executive Committee and the Board of Governors’ Executive Committee.
The committee looks forward to sharing with you what is being heard during the listening phase with the York community, as well as the actions to be taken for improving our workplace.