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YorkNotHostage Supports the Petition to Recall the YFS Executive

YorkNotHostage led the campaign for back to work legislation to end the strike at York. We also opposed the decision of the York Federation of Students (YFS) to endorse the union instead of taking a neutral stance.

We believe:

??? student government should represent the students, not a labour union or the CFS.
??? student government should be there when students need them the most, instead of taking trips to Ottawa or closing the office doors.
??? a recall will give undergrad students a voice regarding the YFS??™s handling of the strike and other important issues.
??? a recall will strengthen democracy in student government, and set the precedent that the YFS is accountable for its decisions.

YorkNotHostage supports the petition to recall the YFS executive and hold new elections!

We need 5,000 petition signatures to recall the YFS executive. You can sign the petition at the "Drop YFS" table in the Student Centre from Monday, February 2 through Thursday, February 5 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Discuss this item here:



News Release: York University students respond to re-call of Legislature to introduce back to work legislation (January 24, 2009

Howard Hampton's Speech:? Howard Hampton's Speech
Jim Wilson, MPP's press release:? Jim Wilson, MPP Press release: Liberals Must Compensate York University Students
Demonstration on the south lawn of Queens Park on Wednesday, January 28th
We will be holding a peaceful demonstration on the lawn of Queens Park on Wednesday, January 28th, at 11 AM, to demand action from the government.?  Further information can be found on the facebook event.


News Release: York University Student group responds to supervised ratification vote (January 9, 2009)
Discuss this statement and the university's statement here:? 


Letters Supporting a "Yes" Vote for Ratification

The following letters are written by individuals and groups other than YorkNotHostage, and advocate an end to the strike and a "Yes" vote for ratification. The opinions expressed in these letters are those of the authors, not YorkNotHostage. We maintain our neutrality in regard to the bargaining issues, and we maintain our opposition to this strike.

Letter from the Deans

Letter to CUPE 3903 Unit II members

"Message from a Fellow Grad Student"

Open Letter to CUPE


Article on the appearance:? 
Discuss it here:? 

YouTube Video


Recent Updates:? 

Days on Strike: 79

Statement from York Not Hostage co-organizer Lyndon Koopmans regarding supervised vote: http://sites.google.com/a/yorknothostage.com/www/response-to-york-university-s-request-for-a-supervised-ratification-vote ? ?  Discuss this statement and the university's statement here:? 

Lyndon was also on City Online, To view this interview please see the links below. It picks up in parts 2&3
1of3:? 
2of3:? 
3of3:? 
Discuss it here:? 


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On this page:

1) Position statement of YorkNotHostage.com
2) Relationship with CUPE 3903 and York University.

1) Position Statement of YorkNotHostage.com &

On November 6, 2008, CUPE Local 3903 went on strike, resulting in the cancellation of classes at York University. There are over 50,000 students at York University whose lives have been put on hold by this strike.? ? 

The Anti-Strike Group and YorkNotHostage.com comprise undergraduate, professional and graduate students at York University. We have over 5,400 supporters, with new supporters continually joining.? 

We have joined under the shared goal of achieving a fast and fair settlement of this labour dispute. This labour dispute should be resolved through binding arbitration. If both parties do not agree to binding arbitration, we call on the Government of Ontario to enact back-to-work legislation requiring the termination of any strike or lock-out action, and requiring this labour dispute to be resolved through binding arbitration.? ? 

This strike harms the students of York University in several ways, including:? 

  • If the school year extends into the summer term, many students will lose access to summer jobs and internships, most of which begin around May 1st.?  These jobs are necessary to help pay for our education and for our career development;
  • Students in their final year of professional programs such as law and nursing may be ineligible to write licensing exams, or have less time to prepare for licensing exams;
  • The student teacher placements of bachelor of education students are on hold;
  • Exchange students could lose their semester if they have not been able to complete their courses by the end of December;
  • International students will be forced to apply for extensions to their visas, and if the extensions are not granted these students could lose a semester or even a year of study;
  • Students lose the value of transit passes, parking spots, and other incidental expenses related to their studies;
  • If the school year is extended, students will have to pay additional living expenses without any increase in scholarships, grants, or student loans.
  • Seneca College students studying at the York campus location face many disruptions, even though Seneca College has no involvement in this labour dispute.
  • The uncertainty about the length of the term and school year prevents students from booking travel, meanwhile the cost of air travel increases as the holiday period nears;

YorkNotHostage.com and the Anti-Strike Group recognize the important contribution to York University made by the members of CUPE Local 3903. We hope for a resolution of this dispute that is fair for all parties.? 

However, a work stoppage has severe and unacceptable consequences for York??™s 50,000 students. Neither a lock-out nor a strike is the responsible method for resolving this labour dispute.

YorkNotHostage.com and the Anti-Strike Group therefore call upon York University and CUPE Local 3903 to immediately enter binding arbitration.? ? 

We note that York University has already offered binding arbitration, and this offer was rejected by CUPE Local 3903. Although back-to-work legislation is extraordinary, it is the only viable method of ending the strike at this time.? 

To further stress our position, YorkNotHostage.com and the Anti-Strike Group will pursue the following activities until the strike ends:? 

  • Petitioning the Ontario Legislature to enact back-to-work legislation;
  • Lobbying Members of Provincial Parliament through a letter-writing campaign and meetings;
  • Organizing meetings and rallies with fellow York students;
  • Maintaining open communication with York University and CUPE Local 3903.

2) Statement Regarding Our Relationship with York University and CUPE Local 3903


The Anti-Strike Group and YorkNotHostage.com comprise undergraduate, professional and graduate students at York University. We have over 5,400 supporters, with new supporters joining all the time.

Our coalition is neither friend nor foe to CUPE Local 3903 or York University. We understand the important contribution of CUPE Local 3903 members to the York University community. We also understand the importance of the collective bargaining process. Many members of our coalition have been, or currently are, union members.

We take no position with respect to the merits of each party??™s bargaining position. However, a work stoppage has severe and unacceptable consequences for York University??™s 50,000 students. We therefore oppose any strike or lock-out action by the parties in this labour dispute. We call on both parties to immediately enter binding arbitration. If both parties will not agree to binding arbitration, then we call on the Government of Ontario to pass back-to-work legislation forcing an end to the work stoppage, and forcing both parties to enter binding arbitration.

It is important to our coalition that we avoid any real or perceived antagonism toward York University or CUPE Local 3903 or its members. We therefore commit to the following:

1. Our coalition will not interfere with any legal picket activity by CUPE Local 3903 members.
2. Our coalition will not conduct any advocacy activities (including collecting petition signatures, media interviews, distributing leaflets, rallies or meetings of any kind) at picket line locations. We are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful buffer between our activities and the picket lines.
3. Our coalition is committed to treating all members of the university community with respect and dignity. We will vocally oppose any activity that threatens or intimidates members of CUPE Local 3903 or the York University administration. Where appropriate, we will report unacceptable conduct to the proper authorities.

We make the following request to York University and CUPE Local 3903:? 

1. Please refrain from interfering in our organizing and advocacy efforts. We appreciate that you may disagree with our positions, but we are affected by this labour dispute and have a right to speak out. In particular, please refrain from clogging up our Facebook pages and other web sites that we use to organize events.
2. We ask that Teaching Assistants be sensitive to their position of authority over undergraduate students. Please avoid any statements that could be perceived to be explicit or implicit threats of reprisal.
3. We ask that the university administration work with our coalition as we organize peaceful, lawful demonstrations on university property.? 

Revised December 20th, 2008

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