The following comments were submitted to our site by people who oppose the strike. These comments are the views of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Anti-Strike Group and YorkNotHostage.com. I am currently a fourth year York University student where I have been continually reading any news up-dates in regards to this strike. I want to go back to school and finish my year so I can graduate. However, I am not convinced what York University president, Mamdouh Shoukri, and his administration is telling its 50,000 students and the public that they have no money to settle CUPE 3903 demands. If York administration says they have no money, then what are all of 50,000 York University students tuition paying for? Regards,
Undergraduates: The Most Vulnerable Sector
COMMENTS RE: STRIKE AT YORK Dear Group, I have to say how disgusted i am with CUPE 3903, the T.A.'s and York University. ENOUGH, think of these innocent students who want to continue their education. These students are the victims here. If the T.A.'s not satisfied with what they are offered, GO ELSEWHERE AND WORK. I hear York T.A.'s are the highest paid in Ontario. Premier Dalton McGuinty, what are you waiting for, LEGISLATE THESE PEOPLE BACK TO WORK. Disappointed parent Dear Premier McGuinty: I am writing as the mother of two children, one of whom attends the University of Windsor and the other York University. I am sure you are well aware that students in Windsor missed 17 days of classes and York students have now been shut out of their classes since November 6th. It is unconscionable in this day and age when our children and their education are our future to deny them the right to an education which all of us are paying for. These are the same students who lived through the Harris years amid cuts to education, curtailment of extra-curricular activities and labour unrest. Should they really continue to suffer because unions and management can’t get their act together? I am asking you to please step in as the education premier and legislate an end to a strike that has gone on well beyond what is reasonable. You would not only be helping my son but many others including my son’s girlfriend who has worked incredibly hard to put herself through school and is now considering withdrawing for the balance of the year as she feels the quality of her semestered courses will not be worth the tuition she struggled to pay. I think that this week is the drop dead week for many students. My son is also considering his options including switching schools and we may be out a considerable sum of money since he as already paid for a full year of residence. I just heard the feds have ended the transit strike in Ottawa; I believe your government has the power to send our students back to school. Thanks for your consideration. I have sent a copy of this letter to Minister Best who is my MPP and is already aware of my views. Sincerely, A Mom Today is Day 63 of the York University strike. Firstly, I'd like to thank those of your who have replied with your support. It means a lot to know that some of you understand that this strike has gone on long enough. Secondly, I'd like to point out that this email is being sent anonymously because students who do not support the strike have been threatened with grade adjustments. This is very scary, and truly puts many of us in a hostage situation, unable to even express our opinions.
Anyway, the main point of my email today point out that while negotiations are currently going on, there is no guarantee that there is progress being made, or that an agreement will be reached. I understand that the University is responsible for its labour management, but it appears that the collective bargaining process has failed. As previously noted, undergraduate students have already lost their reading week, 33% of their fall examination period, and 33% of our winter examination period. Also, we've lost 4 weeks of classes, which MUST be made up in a MAXIMUM of 13 days. This means that as the strike continues, we could loose even more class time. This is unfair to the undergraduate student, and can hinder our academic ambitions, as our marks will suffer.
In addition, the University has made it clear that refunds will NOT be issues for the time lost, meaning we are paying full price for a percentage of the education we signed up for. Yes, they have plans to make up MOST of the time missed, but they are clear in that they are keeping ALL, not most, of our money. And those on strike will get paid their full wage. It is the students whose education is short-changed in this labour dispute.
Only the Provincial Government can save us now. I call on the Provincial Government to recall the Ontario Legislature for an emergency session, to finally put an end to the strike at York University. I hope this is something that is on the Provincial Government's radar. If the 50,000 students are not in class in the VERY near future, it is certain that we will loose more time, and experience additional hardships and suffering.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email.
Dear SRS,
The fact that the union is worried the government will legislate them back to work and force binding arbitration says two things about the union: (1) Their members still must be drunk from the holidays thinking their demands were ever reasonable... and, (2) If the union is confident that its demands were reasonable they would have gone to binding arbitration aeons ago because when you have collective bargaining that is the BEST way to get what you are asking for Any reasonable (key word being reasonable) person independent of both parties can tell the unions demands are more out of touch with reality than when _________ decided it was a good idea to __________ ** Popular analogies: 1) McCain; nominate Palin 2) Tom Cruise; preach Scientology 3) Sauron; take over Middle Earth And so on... The fact that students now are at risk of not completing their degrees on time, not being able to fulfil employment obligations or apply on time with first term transcripts to graduate schools is supposed to be ameliorated by what...? The union gracing us with their promise to sit down and talk? TAs can be replaced. Contract faculty who have been teaching for a number of years ought to apply to be full time professors (if this is their only job). Part time visiting profs who do this out of enjoyment (such as my dad) have real full time jobs. And any other union members who do not fall under these categories should be thankful they have not been fired like so many other people in today's economic climate. Everyone is getting laid off, everywhere, so to go on strike now and for this long to complain about money and job security is really preaching to the wrong choir. I am also of the view that we should seriously contemplate filing a class-action law suit against the university/union. Based on the number of students, amount of tuition paid, and number of days out of class it would be pretty easy to pro-rate how much we are losing because of this squabble. Oh but dont worry, they are taking away our reading week AND condensing the winter exam schedule so I'm sure the university is doing all it can to help us poor students out. In the meantime, I'd like to see the site maybe compile a list of names of students who would be willing to add their name to a class action suit. If the union thinks it has strength in numbers... wait until we're done with THEM. /owned. From, A Nony Mouse It seems to me like pushing for a return to school is not in the best interest of the students anymore. We can't accept a shortened accelerated year in the stead of what we would ordinarily have, especially if there is no promise of financial compensation for our loss.
When students were examining their choices for post-secondary they would look at all the things that york had to offer them and also, perhaps more importantly, all the drawbacks. Where was it in any of the university's literature or their website that spoke to the likelihood of a strike? We chose to invest in York without this knowledge, and now we will not get what we paid for. Students ought to be pushing for cancellation of the school year and full reimbursement of their tuition, including that deposit we all made. I would much rather be able to start fresh and debt free. I'm aware the University isn't solely to blame, but it was their responsibility to inform us of the very distinct risk we were all making by choosing York. If you asked every first year student attending york if they new how likely a strike was when they decided to accept York's offer of admission I would have no doubt in my mind that none of them would say they were aware that C.U.P.E 3903 is a union that is very likely to strike in the wake of contract negotiations. I think this is pure fraud, and every student is owed their money back. Thanks.
Enough with TA's complaining they are against this strike! Not enough students and TA's at York are responsible about their role within a highly structured, and unionized environment. All York students should check out the budget (if it is still available) on the YFS website. Do studens realise that their union leaders are getting paid a good salary, which they will be receiving during this strike? Could someone at CUPE advise me what the salaries are for the union leadership? Do all the striking TA's realise that union leaders continue to receive their salaries during the strike? If students (and TA's) are unhappy with this strike, then SHOW UP AND VOTE! That includes voting for a student union that truly represents the student body. CUPE members - stop whining and ensure that your militant leaders do not continue in their positions after this strike. Get involved, take some leadership and become a viable voice within your own union. Missing meetings and votes, and blaming more militant members for your predicament is futile. Change is essential at the top of both CUPE and YFS. As a York student I have challenged the YFS for budget issues, including the high salaries paid to a web manager. Have you seen their terrible web page? Become informed, get active and understand that your education (and a portion of your school fees) is in the hands of small group of unionized employees. Disgruntled student. Hello, Dear YorkNotHostage.com
I share with you a letter I just sent to John Tory today who was on CFRB 1010 Radio - the Spider Jones Show. Hello, This is my fifth year as a TA at York and I'm absolutely disgusted at the actions of a union that claims to represent me. I did not support the union's decision to go on strike and have refused to picket, choosing instead to work at (work place). At least there I can still talk to people about literature and earn my paycheque with a clear conscience. I miss my class, my students, and my professors and I have nothing to complain about my working conditions other than a strike-happy union. I was an undergrad the last time there was a strike and can still remember what it was like to have one's academic life "held hostage." I also have a friend who is in York's Consecutive B.Ed program and his practicum/internship experiences are in serious jeopardy because of this. Right now, the only solidarity I'll stand behind is that of the students and websites like this. sincerely, Hey guys
Dear YorkNotHostage.com,
On November 27, 2008 after I crossed the picket line at the York Boulevard, a lady on the sidewalk waved at me, so I stopped to see if I’m able to help her. She told me that usually her husband drops her off at school, but on that day he wasn’t able to do that. Big deal? YES! She was pregnant and she couldn’t walk all the way to Seneca, where she’s a student. I gave her a ride to Seneca and then I thought to myself: why in a developed country, where democracy should be seen everywhere, a group of people are allowed to cause discomfort for another group of people who have NOTHING to do with them? York undergrads are obviously the firsthand victims of this strike, and then we see Seneca students (and only those who attend Seneca@York...go figure) are affected by it too. Once I addressed the issue of Seneca students at the picket lines, and this was my answer: “well, Seneca is York’s client and therefore its students and employees have to cross the picket lines as well as the ones of York”. Really? Then why don’t they go and picket in front of every single Seneca College campus as well? This strike is a power struggle and IS about money. Based on CUPE Local 3903 definition, I am living under poverty line too! Do you see me stopping cars? Oh, I forgot they’re more important… D.S. Dear YorkNotHostage, So apparently they don't legally have to care, and they don't feel the NEED to care in any way. Further, they have an automatic email response ready to spit back to the students/parents/professors who are emailing them. Apparently they fail to see our desperation. Apparently they fail to feel the urgency that we feel to get back into the classroom. We're stuck between a rock and a hard place and there doesn't seem to be anyone willing to stand up and look after our interests - no one aside from ourselves.
I was travelling on Sentinel north bound but was still south of the university entrances. I am a not a student, teacher, resident – just a motorist who tried to take a short cut. My car was surrounded by these hooligans mascarading as TA’s, pylons were placed in front of my car and I was detained against my will on the road way for 25 minutes in total (including line time).
I had an anxiety attack, called 911 and felt completely violated as a citizen of this country. This labor dispute should not entitle them to detain and hold the public hostage – on public road ways at that.
This is not a picket line at the end of a company’s driveway! People reside on the York U campus and have a right to freedom and passage. These hooligans are detaining people on the roadways both inside and outside the campus. I honestly think that their behavior has violated charter and I am surprised with all the Law Students at York U, that no one has explored this. LAW STUDENTS OF YORK U, IT’S TIME TO RISE UP and rage against the greed of the TA’s -Courtney Hello again, my previous post was anonymous, but I have now decided to post under my name. I recently have read much about lazy/greedy TAs and Contract Faculty who are not concerned about students' issues pertaining to the strike. Just for the record: I have told students in the seven tutorials that I am teaching this year that I am against the strike and that I do not support my union in their decision making. I am very much concerned about the fact that very important issues were decided on by a minority of the membership. This does not resemble a democratic process. I have decided not to participate in staffing the picket lines since this would compromise my personal stance on the issue. From many conversations I know as a fact that many TAs and Contract Faculty share that same opinion and I would urge students not to judge their instructors based on what happens right now. Many of us are forced onto the picket lines because of financial reasons. I understand that it is undergraduate students that are held hostage by the union and that they suffer greatly. However, I would like to point out that many TAs and Contract Faculty are basically in the same boat. Our lives are on hold and the financial strains are hard to bear. I would love to get back into my tutorials and do my work.
The union's insensibility to call members out to hold a strike party, while thousands of people try to make their ends meet during the dispute speaks for itself. Sorry, but I am not in a party mood. This is not a celebration. Also, I was astonished, to say the least, that CUPE 3903 is hiring right now. I urge to check the job postings on the CUPE site and think about how credible this union really is in terms of an ethical approach to a labour dispute and its effects onto others. Cynicism will not help to save the union's tarnished image; neither members nor undergraduate students will appreciate such behaviour. Claus Nader Contract Faculty Division of Humanities Department of History Dear yorknothostage,
Here is my situation:
I am a 4th year student @ York, and I was working as a lab supervisor in the
evenings. When the strike occurred, they decided that they could keep the lab open during
the day (8:30-4) and close it from 4pm-8:30pm which was my shift, 4 times a week, equaling 18 hrs and a decent paycheck. Now. I don't have anything! No job, no compensation! what do I do??
Worried student.
Hello, I am a second year York student who is greatly inconvenienced by the
strike. If I had any sympathy for the union, it disappeared as soon as I saw the latest update on their website (at http://www.3903strike.ca/). The fact that they threw a party to celebrate the strike tells me only two things about the union: 1) They obviously aren't interested in negotiating to end it 2) They don't care at all about the students who are suffering because of it I can't think of anything more disgraceful or insulting to the students that
they could have done. Previously, I was going to simply wait out the strike, but now I've decided to become more active in sending emails and signing the petition. In fact, I urge the Yorknothostage group to take advantage of this by incorporating it into the standard letter to the public figures, and maybe even pointing this out to the media. "Union parties while students locked out" is a pretty powerful headline and
might make a difference with the politicians as well, or even the York students who support the strike. --anonymous
It’s becoming more and more clear that most of these TA’s do not even agree with this strike either. It’s all a calculated move by a greedy union trying to gain more power. All they want is that 2 year deal so they can ALL hold us hostage again in 2010. I bet the only reason half these people come out to picket is because they still have to get paid in order to eat.
As for this YFS president…first he comes with a bunch of excuses to not show up to the rally (I was un-invited, I’m receiving threats…) THEN we find out the whole time he’s in Ottawa doing some little side project. This is who we call our student president? First he decides to speak on behalf of ALL of us when supporting the UNION, then he has the gall to LIE to us and not attend out STUDENT rally! You think he’d be on campus trying everything in his power to get both sides to the table, instead he takes off to some little side-project in Ottawa. I’m sorry but this guy is a complete joke and should be impeached. Hi BB and YNH
I have been an undergraduate student at York for six years now. I am ready to graduate and apply for grad studies. If this strike lasts into January I will be un-able to apply for masters as most of the institutions want the fall term marks in by the end of January. Because of this, I may have to take a year off before applying, which means OSAP kicks in. I will then have to pay off my dept gained through OSAP.
In addition, I do not want the school year to go into the summer as I rely on summer work every year to pay off my dept and because of this I may have a difficult time in finding summer employment.
Why couldn’t the two parties settle on some agreement before the school year had begun?
I am with you BB on a class-action against the union and the university. Both parties should pay for their consequences by placing myself and others in financial hardship. If the union is asking for an increase in wages, why can't students request a refund?
C.
I'd very much like to remain anonymous if you do choose to post this on the website, since I am a Union member. However, if you need a bit more information, I asked statscan about the claim of being "in poverty" that the union is sticking to. Actually, union members are only living under the poverty line if they live completely alone. The poverty line, known more formally as the "Low Income Cutoff", or LICO, is calcuated for what is called the "economic family", which means "anyone living under the same roof, not necessarily from the same biological family". I live with two roomates, and the combined income of the three of us is nearly double the Low Income Cutoff for a three person household.
I'm reasonably sure that, since most of the union members are living with roommates, the claims that "we are all living under the poverty line" holds absolutely no water. As for my question: I want to go and talk to Premiere McGuinty in person. I'm still working out how to do that, assuming it's even possible. I was wondering, if I'm able to set up a meeting (and at this stage, I'm not even sure if its possible), do you guys want to come? Cheers Anonymous Hi YNH,
I too am a mature student who left my source of income to go back to York and finish my degree. I have a wife and child and a mortgage, and we're steadily incurring debt... If this strike forces our schoolyear on into May or June, I'm really nervous about what that's going to mean for my family and our finances. When the dust finally settles, I'm considering launching a class-action against both the union and the university - not as revenge or anything personal, but to recoup my losses, and those of anyone else interested in joining me: the additional expenses incurred by not being able to work in may when all the other university students who weren't on strike are scooping up all the available jobs, the fact that we'll be paying at least one of not two or more rent /mortgage payments while in school, as well as bills, living expenses, refunds for lost vacations or lost jobs, even tuition refunds if we're forced to attend another year (since for me, at least, this would not be feasible without the suit)... I'm anticipating asking for $10K - $15K per person. If a few hundred students got on board and we sued the two injurious parties and won, I think forcing them to pay out a few thousand dollars together would be a good beginning towards seeing that our very real wasted time and money are not ignored, which they seem to be being right now, not to mention making them think twice in the future when they're debating whether or not to knock their respective heads together again. In the end, the major sufferers in this debacle are the students, so it's only fair that we should get what's owed to us in the end as well: education and recompense. BB I am a TA who is forced through the financial strings to join the picket line. I hate the strike and I detest the unreasonable amount our union is demanding. I voted against this strike, but was surprised to learn majority supported it. Now, I can’t receive my monthly stipend from York; and these senseless executive cannot pay me except I picket. We are paid $200 if we put up 20 hours of picketing in a week. That is, in a month we can only earn $800 for putting up 80 useless hours working for CUPE. Isn’t this sensitive senselessness on the part of the executive and a rip off on ordinary CUPE members? The amount CUPE pays is about half of what York pays us for working a maximum of 10 hours/week. For the ordinary CUPE members, we have nothing to gain except the executives who pushed us into this. Many members at the picket lines have told me they were forced to picket because of the money. Some voted against it. Others were misled by the executives who misled them to vote for the strike.
The economic reality is that millions are losing jobs throughout the globe and here CUPE instead of being grateful to York University is asking for ridiculous amount and job security. How on earth are you demanding for job security when you are still a student. The truth is that many of our colleagues who are doing PhD and Master have no intention of graduating. They have found a life-time job. And I say such people should know the university is only a transit route to your destination. If you need a secure job you apply as a full-time Prof. or finish the dam program and get out. Alternatively, don’t sign the dam contract. I am really annoyed because of the senselessness of this people. They don’t even consider the undergrads who don’t earn anything and have lots of bills and debts to settle. Peter. Hello Jeremy, Thanks for all your time putting information out and addressing concerns. However, I have to stay, I am so disappointed in this thread. I'm an undergrad at York and I'd like to return to do my masters but at this moment, I don't even like to wear my "YORK" sweater because of the jokes and ridicule I have to hear from people who don't understand the amount of stress that we are all under. I have tried so hard not to comment but after reading this, I feel I have to: "A number of the members from the SRS group have sent harassing and threatening emails to Mr Osman. They have been riddled with swears and very inappropriate statements. Not to mention identity theft and fake facebook accounts. Mr Osman will not be at the rally. We do not believe that it will be a safe environment". First, I have met with Mr. Osman on one occasion and found him rude and ignorant myself. He caught frustrated with me and another student, and basically walked away from us the day before the rally for lower tuition fees. And he sis supposed to represent the student body at York U (undergrads?) You don't believe the rally at York to be a safe environment for him to be at? That's funny because the reason why I couldn't make it down was because I didn't feel safe crossing the picket line. York U is getting a negative image as is, but to go as far and suggest that Mr Osman will not attend for safety reasons is ridiculous. Of course students are angry, but do we really need the media to feed on this some more but making statements like the one above? I mean, really, come on. This is getting out of hand and the name calling needs to end on both sides.
Frustrated!!!! I'm an accounting major at York and recently I got a job offer from a firm. Now that I may not have a chance to get all my courses in by the time I am scheduled to start working, my job offer may be taken away and given to someone else who can start on time. I came to York because they had the best Business School in Schulich, turning down offers from schools elsewhere, but if I had known that I would have to put up with TA's who demand outrageous sums and can strike at the drop of a dime, I regret the day I ever accepted an offer from any school or department at York. I assure you ladies and gentlemen who are reading this, this strike nonsense will always plague York, it will never go away, for some reason the University thrives on this. But in the future, I will tell anyone I know, whether it be friends, families, even enemies, to not even think of letting their children apply to York for anything. The number one aspect of this all that really infuriates me is that after this is done, hopefully it will be done some time in the future, we have to act like nothing ever happened, no one will face consequences who was actually involved in the strike, accept for the innocent ones who have to take all the consequences for CUPE's stupidity, the students. I would just like to thank SRS for creating a medium for frustrated students to vent their anger, although the culprits responsible for this probably dont even care what they are doing to others.
Sincerely, One who does not have faith in York University The strike by Teaching Assistants at York University is totally out of touch with current economic reality and social responsibility.
As a parent of a 1st year student who faces the prospects of a diluted education and/or diminished summer earnings, I am asking the administration, the union and the provincial government to settle this dispute immediately. Lost in the last 10 days of inertia is any concern for the academic progress of the key stakeholders - the students. The York U. Senate Nov. 4th bulletin regarding the strike, conveniently shields itself by stating "...this policy does not guarantee students the same learning experience that they would have recieved in the absence of a disruption." It is clear that the students will bear the consequences of this dispute. No mention of financial compensation, of course. The administration's cavalier attitude toward 'academic integrity' affecting 50,000 students, the union's laughable request for 41% increase over 2 years and the provincial government's pitiful silence contribute equally to this debacle. Perhaps a mass withdrawal of students and a class action suit for services NOT RENDERED AND COSTS INCURRED would inject a return to reality here. Brian Horton YOU WOULD LIKE TO RAISE YOUR VOICE
To ALL TAs who wished to STRIKE
The problems that you are having should be solved by yourself. Creating another problem for the York University students will not help. Your voice of concerns will only show the cruel of your actions to create this strike. Your strike will not help your wants to come true. It will only creates a shadow of our school. A shadow that downgraded our school. A shadow that shade YorkU students from white to black. Your decisions had cause us to hate you so much. Apologist for giving the birth of this strike, will still allows the shadows to be cleared from our minds Your problem will only be solved by yourself and the other TAs in another way We are not your targets and we are not your hostages Please release us to the freedom of studies in York University --Martin K
As someone who needs to remain anonymous for obvious reasons, I would
like to point out a few things about the strike that likely haven't been said. So, the following points are topics you may want to look into:
1. When York offers a Grad student a position it says "we will pay you
18,000$/year for two years". Working as a TA makes a large part of that money. Every single one of us agreed when deciding to come to York to work for that much money and everything else that comes along with it. Why are we on strike? 2. There isn't a single graduate student in my department or faculty that I know of who agrees with the Union. Some of us are dragged to the picket lines though as the only way of paying our rent and tuition that doesn't stop like our pay does while we are on strike. [we get 40$/4hour shift to a max of 200$ a week to picket] 3. I am not allowed to try to leave the union, nor am I allowed to encourage other to. I have no idea why we are in a union, if I wanted better wages or more job security I would go to a different employer/university but there is no point for myself, TAs are not the ones that will benefit from this it is the contract staff for the most part. 4. If we go on strike for two weeks we will lose enough money not working to balance out what we might gain from a wage increase. I want what I accepted in my contract nothing more, nothing less.
TA and Graduate Student.
I'm finding myself to be increasingly annoyed with this strike. The cupe members in favour of this strike are selfish and lack empathy. They think they are the only people who are struggling during this recession. They need to get their heads out of the clouds. Students go to school, students, go home to part-time (and more then part-time) jobs, some students have children, and some students have younger children to take care of too. We are facing the same economic difficulty as they are yet we can't just go on strike. I'm not getting the hours I need at work and I have to go for anothe job; I can't go on strike at my place of employment. School fees are too high and I owe almost a years worth of fees; I can't go on strike and demand the fees be lowered (yet If it wasn't for students wanting an educaton at York U the TAs wouldn't have a job at York, the Dean wouldn't be the Dean of York, and any one else who is on either side of this strike wouldn't have a bloody job).
The people directly affected by this strike is us - the students. And they can't realize the fact that every minute we sit waiting for them to get their acts together is MY time, is 50,000 students time wasted. My schedule is disrupted by this bullshit, my monthly pass is being wasted by every passing day, and they can't even get their ass into a room to speak to the other side and get this thing sorted as soon as possible. I am becoming increasingly disgusted. If this strike is still in progress come Tuesday the 17th, you can bet you ass I'll be there. Sincerely, Decidedly Annoymous I am just another student at York University and getting to the point where I am absolutely frustrated at he current situation, specially towards the union. I have been looking and reviewing the numbers that the union wants and I gotta say they are absolutely ridiculous. First of all even if you don't look at the numbers the reason why they are on strike makes no sense. And I want to bring the media aware of this situation, maybe they are already aware but I haven't seen it.
Anyways the first two things that they are talking about are wages and job security. This makes NO sense logically whatsoever. How can a CONTRACT worker go on strike for wages and job security. The whole point of having a contract is because you are locked into what the cooperation is giving you. And the employee ACCEPTED the contract that says you will be paid X amount of dollars for the Y amount of time. So how does it makes sense to go on strike AFTER you agreed to the terms of a contract for wage and time. I am in my last year of space engineering at york, so I have many friends who are TAs out of the engineering / science departments who are extremely against the strike and knows how the union is definitely not representing them.
Bottom line is, if you are a contract worker YOU accepted the terms of the agreement. And its not the employers responsibility to provide higher wages or job security because you have a binding contract. Only thing the employer is responsible for is to provide the employee with the facilities in order to conduct his work, that's it! I hope I can or this organization brings more attention to the media about what I just said, and if I can get in contact with anyone to go out into the public and make this heard, because this is just ridiculous.
And this is exactly why they won't agree to binding arbitration because they themselves know the demands are ridiculous and they wont get it and will be get forced back to work. Frankly I think the University has done more than it has to do in this situation. And at this point its just a sad site to see.
Just my two cents, home to hear from anyone.
Chris F. York Engineering. I am a mature student. I have chosen to come back to school on my own terms and for a goal I personally wish to achieve. I LEFT MY MEANS OF INCOME to pursue my education. I accepted this and knew what my sacrifice would be going into it.
If I can accept this, why can't the selfish union members accept their jobs? They CHOSE to be TA's and GA's. They CHOSE to not work full time in the pursuit of something better. The message being sent here is that they feel they are more important than everyone else... and that is a terrible, selfish, and elitist attitude.
Now, I know not all union members actually want this strike. My anger is directed towards those who support it. My disappointment, however, is directed to any union member not willing to stand against their union in its largely unilateral decision. Some of you CUPE employees are just as upset about this as we are. Why not stand with US on Monday?
It seems everyone is trying to work towards a solution here except the union heads. Even a large number of CUPE members are having their voices silenced... sounds a bit fascist to me.
Join US... have your voices heard with us.
I realize this is a bit idealistic, but we can dream :).
To the rest of you CUPE employees and heads of the union who thinks this strike is valid. Shame on you for thinking you're better than us. Shame on you for not accepting arbitration. And shame on you for putting greed before the needs of the many. This is a fundamental problem in the world.
As a former employee in the workforce, if I was unsatisfied with my job, I GOT A NEW JOB. You make a decision, you live with it. That is how the real world works. What you want is unrealistic.
--Garret
I am a single immigrant to the country. Before I arrived in Canada, I had already incurred debt (my airfare), it did not matter that I was a refugee for almost 9years. I came here to have "better" access to education. In the last 6years I've spent in this part of the world, I have managed to rack up over $60,000 of debt (student loans). I'm not complaining and I'm not hooting for better anything because I know my situation, no matter how dreadful it may sound, it FAR better than 1000s in Canada and millions around the world. I'm so grateful to York/Osgoode for granting me scholarship to pay my tuition and accommodation cost. Though I did not take any student loans this year, I still need to eat everyday. Which brings me to this end of dreading the strike because, NOT only will this strike cause me more debt in the long run, it puts me in the position of wondering how to survive everyday as my only source of income is from a meager job provided by York University. Mind you - I'm a grad student but not eligible for CUPE benefit! FYI I wrote similar letter to Dalton McGuinty
Thank you.
veronica As an alumnus of York University I am greatly dismayed by the striking group at York University. I went to York to obtain an education, not disrupt the operation of a fine institution by spending time joining a group to protest against any and every situation that arises. People are easily swayed by supposedly "do gooders", while their real motive is to disrupt the status quo on any issue, even though the opposition to the status quo on that issue is self interest.
I would not like to see York become the bastion for unrest for universities in Canada; rather York should set an example as a university where learning, open debate (not forced by union demands and their selfish interests) thrives and self expression on domestic and international issues is encouraged, not dictated by unions and their confrontational approach.
--John F
The representative from CUPE has unrealistic expectations regarding the university system.
Instructors everywhere have to reapply for their teaching positions. In my department at Western, all graduate students that teach courses need to reapply when they want to teach courses. That is how the system works everywhere, York is not a special case. We get paid quite a bit less than the York TAs (baseline is 15k, and I'm in a well-funded department). I'm not sympathetic to the striking instructors. People with PhDs have plenty of outside options outside of academia, they are capable of making higher wages outside the university. They are staying at York because York represents the best option that is available to them. York's graduate students are not living below the poverty line. Just like in undergrad, graduate school is an investment in education, not a full time job. You do your time in grad school with the expectation that you will make higher future earnings down the road. People expecting to rake in money as a graduate student have unrealistic expectations. --Graduate Student, University of Western Ontario. P.S. CUPE rep has said that arbitration won't be a fair outcome. The university is not afraid to go to arbitration, probably because they expect a neutral arbitrator to believe they have legitimate concerns. What is CUPE so afraid of? If their grievances are just, why would they be afraid of a neutral arbitrator??? The following is a letter drafted and sent to an M.P.P. by an unslienced voice.
She wanted to share it with everyone and allow people to use it as a template for their own letter:
MPP,
I live in your riding and am a student at York University. I hope the strike at
York University ends soon with all sides in agreement. However, in the event of a very long strike, the government should be willing to enact back-to-work legislation to protect students. A long strike could have very negative consequences for the 45 000 students who are caught in the middle of this labour dispute. If the school year extends into the summer term as a result of the strike, 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. 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. If the school year is extended, students will have to pay additional living expenses without any increase in scholarships, grants, or student loans. I hope our provincial government will not hesitate to put an end to this dispute if the two sides cannot come to an agreement in a reasonable amount of time. Sincerely,
xxxxx
Following is my email to Minister. I am proud of all your job.
Dear Mr. Minister,
I am a undergraduate student at York University. Today is 10th day of the strike. All of students are worring about what is going on this semester. Actually, we are really scaring. We are scaring how negative impact will be for our education. We are scaring that the union will be too powerful on controlling all educational institution in near future. At that time, victim students will not only be 55,000 at York University. When I think about that, I am scaring. That will be a nightmare for all students in this country.
I am a full time student and also work on part time basis to support myself. While I am busy between job and school, I sleep less than 5 hours per day and spend all my dinner/lunch time with computer and notes. I do not complain for that because I know I am paying for my future. TAs are students; we are also students. While we are working hard after school to support our own acadamic life and pursuing a bright future, they are ignoring everyone else but their interest. Why? Are they more special than us? If they ask to be respected on their right, how about us, 55,000 students? Are they respecting us? Are they even caring about us?
Dear Minister, I am sincerely to ask you to stop all of this. Please help us!
Snoopy
I have a son at York this year -freshman - who worked, and sacrificed his summer for an education He is not 'a happy camper' about this strike. He has scraped and put his social life -at 18yrs - on hold to further his chance in the world. The University gave him an enrollment package that had pre-set their lives for the next few years. Now this is in jeopardy. I understand the therem are fee's to be a part of the York Tradition( and the Gov's mandate), but this situation you re putting them in could cause major damage. There will be an unfortunate percentage of the students thaty can't afford to cancel this year and re-o it , complte with all the pro's and cons. There are country's in this world who offer every citizen the right, s a citizen to as much education they want. We have to pay and would like to assured that we will make it through,, put the incident behind us, and carry on to next year. I have been led to believe if the strike lasts much longer, there are many students who will have to forefit their summer jopbs to complete the course, and therefore, will have financial difficulties because of this altercation I understand the TA's stand, but, upper management will get stubborn, but then they will eventually find an offer that both can live with. . I hope it"s not too long. The strike a few years ago lasted 11 weeks, cost a lot of kids. So why the stall? Sit down and hash this out before it costs us students another year. 'You wanna pay for the year I lost' Angry Dad
I was referred to you from SRS. They suggested I share my story with you for the
rally. I am not comfortable speaking at the rally, but my story can be used if you think it may help make an impact. I am a 4th year nursing student in my FINAL semester. I am literally weeks away from graduating. I was to graduate in December so that I can write the Canadian Registered Nursing Examination in early February 09. Since the strike I have been removed from my clinical placement, and I am unable to complete the required number of practicum hours for graduation. Ultimately this means that I will not be able to write the registration exam in February. I am quite frustrated and I am looking forward to a timely and fair resolution to this unfortunate situation. - Tina i have an interest in the strike by CUPE at york university, as my grandaughter attends glendon. i believe the offer by york university to CUPE is a fair offer in these times of financial restraint. i notice dalton mcguinty is not saying much about the strike which he normally does where there is conflict. what he should be doing is showing some leadership, and put an end to this, and get the students back to class. he would move fast if 50,000 students e-mailed him and told him he will not get their vote next election. good luck in getting back to class. --John W
Dear SRS, First, thank you for all you have done to provide the student body a voice in
this terrible ordeal. I am in the final semister of my undergraduate degree and was set to complete my
courses in December with a job lined up for January. Now, while CUPE 3903 protests for job security, this strike threatens the job security of students like myself and many of my peers. At a time when many companies are laying off employees or issuing hiring freezes, new grads entering the workforce in January risk long term unemployment if they are not able to begin work in a previously secured position due to a prolongued semister. - Very frustrated York student
Helllo Before I begin my rant, I just want to say great job for taking the initiative to stand up for the majority of York Students when the YFS ditched us and keep up the good work.
I am writing this letter after spending about 2 hours reading through all the commments on the wall and discussion boards of your facebook group(York anti- strike group). From what I have noticed, many CUPE members have found their way into this group and have directly attacked us for taking the position of arbitration as somethinng like endorsing the York Admin, even though you and many other members of the group have made it clear an infinite number of times that it is a completely neutral stance that we have decided on our own and that the university has had absolutely no role in shaping our point of view. This brings me to my point about binding arbitration and CUPE's stand regarding the matter. CUPE has a number of arguments for dismissing binding arbitration and term it as it being unfair to them. However, I feel that each of these arguments can be critiqued. I will try my best to do so, in no particular order. Here goes:
Argument 1: Binding arbitration takes away union's power to negotiate.
Response to argument: Binding arbitration also takes away university's ability to negotiate. So both union and university are on a level playing field and I cannot see how that is unfair. Furthermore, the union has been negotiating with the university for the last 4 months. If they cannot come to a solution in 4 months I cannot see what will suddenly occur in 4 hours that will result in University and CUPE patching up. CUPE keeps saying that they are ready to go back to the bargaining table and that the strike was not what they wanted. Well, if they are so eager to go back to the bargaining table and did not want to strike, why did they set up a strike deadline before they went to negotiate with the university? They could have just kept on negotiating since thats what they apparently wanted to do.
Argument 2: Binding arbitration will be in University's favour
Response to argument: This statement is a classic case of the union's guilty conscience coming to the fore. It is called binding/neutral arbitration for a reason, and that reason is not because the arbitration is the university's spokesperson. They are independent and are supposed to listen to both sides and come up with a solution which they feel is fair to both. It appears that deep down the union knows some of its demands are ridiculous and an arbitrator will rightly over rule them and frankly that is how it should be. Just because the union deems something to be fair, does not make it fair and its high time they stop being childish and behave like the mature adults they are supposed to be. The union cannot come up with hypothetical situations of how the arbitration will turn out and use them to stay away and keep prolonging their strike
Argument 3: Binding Arbitration is not a solution because Univeristy did not negotiate in a fair manner in the first place
Response to argument: This claim can easily be put forward to the arbitrator. If the arbitrator feels that this is indeed true, it can easily ask York to go back to the bargaining table and guess what if the arbitrator does say so, then York has no option but to get back to the bargaining table.
I know that the body of the letter makes it out that I do not endorse the union's stance. And this is the point that I want to make extremely clear. I am not interested in endorsing the union's stance or the university's for that matter of fact. Having said that the union's arguments so far have been extremely flimsy and it does not take a rocket scientist to point out a few holes in their arguments. Just like other members of YorkNotHostage, I feel that binding arbitration is the best way to get us back to class and the fact that it happens to be the same with the university's stance is a mere coincidence. As much as the union tries to project that the university has brainwashed us all into believeing that arbitration is the way forward for a solution, I am sorry to burst their bubble but I can vouch that I have come to the above conclusions on my own after reading both sides of the story. Dr. Shoukri did not call me to his office and whisper in my ears all of the above counter arguments to the union's anti- arbitration stance or tell me any other propoganda regarding this debacle for that matter of fact. And I doubt, that the arbitration stance taken by the execs and other supporters of YorkNOT Hostage were based on any discussions undertaken with the university. Everybody associated with YorkNotHostage including myself are educated, intelligent human beings who can form their own opinions without getting unduly influenced by either side in this fiasco and this point should be made perfectly clear during the rally and also to the union who keeps attacking us as being the University's mouthpiece.
I apologize for such a lengthy text but I think we need to be well prepared to address the point of binding arbitration and why we feel it is a strong reason for both sides to accept to, so that the 50,000 of us can get back to what we are supposed to be at York for- OUR EDUCATION.
On a final note, if you guys do plan to take up these points seriously during the rally, or publish this on your website, kindly do not disclose my name or any other details related to me because I really do not want to deal with any CUPE members. Some of them are extremely nasty, and take a saddistic pleasure in harassing anybody who does not support their cause.
Thanks and keep up the Good job once again. Dear YorkNotHostage.com, Firstly, thank you so much for creating this site and actually sticking up for the students, the ones who are so clearly forgotten in all this. WE are the ones being punished, being bargained with and yes, being held hostage by both sides! We have no power to solve the problems between the union and the university, and yet we are the ones most affected by their childish refusal to even attempt negotiation. The union does have a right to strike, but both sides also have a RESPONSIBILITY not to leave the table until a settlement is reached. Instead of this, both sides are working to guarantee a prolonged disruption that will affect nobody more adversely than the students. Indeed, so little attempt at any resolution is being made that all the major news networks have already dropped the story, having nothing to report. We pay more than 5000 dollars a year for the education that is being treated so heinously by both the university and the union. ...something MUST be done. Neither CUPE 3903, nor York University would exist if it weren't for the students and their money, and I think it's high time we reminded them of that. Our future and the educations we have earned and paid for should not be used as pawns in some juvenile game.
Thanks again for supporting the students and hearing our voices,
Invisible Pawn # 208558330
What is more unfortunate though is that throughout this whole strike is this: I have not heard one person address how this impacts persons with disabilities. Let me explain. As an undergraduate student who has invisible disabilities, I am eligible to receive funding from the government to pay for tutors, etc. These funds will only last me only April (the end of what is supposed to be the school term). However, if we extend the year until June, let's say, I will have no money to pay for my tutor for those two additional months because I am working on my courswork now, during the strike to prevent me from losing my education after and falling behind because of this uncertainty of what will happen when we return. Therefore, I am paying for tutoring now, just like students who are living on campus are paying for rent and will have to extend their lease. But, no one is addressing this. Not to mention, how unlikely any student who uses a mobile devise to get around would even think about trying to get on campus. I for one can walk past the chaos, for someone in a wheelchair, highly unlikely and probably unthinkable. I won't even mention the students and staff with invisible disabilities such as chronic fatigue syndrome or back problems who cannot make the additional walk because of the picketers blocking the entrances. Regardless, Invisible student I am a first year undergraduate at York University in the Schulich School of Business. As I approached the picket line, coming from the residential area around Black Creek, of course I was met by about 20 or so protestors who were a part of the picket line. I drove my car up to the point where the picketers had put up the barricades. At that point, a few of them were surrounding my car, asking me to put my window down so I could listen to what they had to say. I had no intention of putting my window down, as I am strongly against the strike. In response to not putting my window down, the picketers blocked off my car solely, and they formed a triangle with the barricades, only around my car, and only because I chose not to show them support. On top of this, I could see them laughing and taunting me from outside, acting as if they had won some great battle by blocking off only my car. On top of this, they got dangerously close to my car, at which point I was just waiting for them to put a finger on it, so I could call the police. I could hear them saying things like “Okay we’ll just let about 15 cars go before we let this one through”, again, simply because I chose not to put my window down. After a good 15 minutes of waiting, and after they let almost every single other car in line go ahead of me, I decided to reverse and turn the other way. I then got out of the car and started walking into campus as opposed to driving in, at which point, again, I felt intimidated by their taunting and laughter. I was quite surprised to see these “mature” people acting in such a way. They were not kids, or even young people - they were well into middle age and were acting in a way that made me completely lose respect for them as educators. I did not say much to them, but I clearly heard them swearing at me and one of them even had the audacity to tell me to “go to hell”. I strongly believe that action needs to be taken immediately. It is unfair that I have to constantly fear for my safety while on campus, and it is simply ridiculous that I should have to feel harassed by the picketers when I did absolutely nothing to them." - 1st year Schulich School of Business student who DOES NOT support this strike People what is there to say. i'm discusted. there was once a time for unions, but they are now just greedy businesses out for themselves. unions are one of the major problems of our economy. the students are paying the higher price here. if you don't like your job, then go somewhere else. i would be curious to know exactly how many members actually wanted a strike, but you'll never know the truth there.but because your a member, the union speaks for you, i would never want to be dictated to like that. concerned parent (to put it mildly) DEAR SRS, It is good to see that YorkU students are voicing their opinions on the strike. As a contract faculty and member of CUPE 3903 I would like to point out that I feel not represented and hi-jacked into a situation that was completely held out of my control:
1.) Union meetings were held at times that made it impossible for many TAs and contract faculty to participate in the process. Having a three course, seven tutorial workload I find it inconsiderate, to say the least, to schedule union meetings during a time when many of us have to teach tutorials. Not surprisingly, I was not able to attend meetings because I did not find it fair to my students to cancel several tutorials over the weeks leading up to the strike just to witness outdated ideological theatrics of certain union members.
2.) According to CUPE, out of ca. 3450 CUPE members, less than 1000 members made it to the final meeting on November 5th. Again the date and time for the meeting seemed to have been strategically chosen: 70% of these 1000 who attended voted for a strike, which means that less than 25% of the overall membership authorized the union to proceed to a strike. Is this an example of a democratic process? Is that an overwhelming pro-strike vote? I don't believe so. The holding of a strike vote should have been more accessible for all members. Tactics? Very much so.
3.) The constant publishing of misleading information by YFS, CUPE and the administration begs the question whether I as an employee and union member and you as undergraduate students are receiving the respect we all deserve. Mr Potts claims that "all" of the student body is behind the strike, which is certainly not the case. From talking to my students in class I know that the vast majority was not in favour of CUPE's position. I would like to see the turnout on Monday's rally and bear witness to many students' disapproval of how the situation is handled. Just because YFS's president gives his shaky stamp of approval does not mean that York undergraduate students should accept the situation. The YorkU administration has stalled the bargaining process throughout the summer. Who saves money in this? The administration does because wages are suspended as long as the strike goes on. Who loses? Students and employees like myself who are not in favor of a strike and who would like to go on with their work and pay their bills.
4.) And yes, as contract faculty I do not have job security for the whole year and I need to re-apply every January. If I wanted job security I would look for another employer because we all know that YorkU is and always has been notorious for exploiting non-tenured teaching staff. I do believe I get screwed around, but as long as I am aware of it and as long as I make the decision to accept it that is my business. How dare union politicos make decisions for me? I know contract faculty who have been held untenured despite 15 years of seniority. Well, if these people think they are repeatedly glossed over they should either consider working somewhere else or accept it.
5.) Just to set a record straight: as a TA in a Phd program one works more than 10 hours a week. Teaching two tutorials requires 4-6 hours in-class presence (lectures and tutorials) and about 15-20 hours per week of office hours, prep-work, grading and e-mail answering. In addition to academic work graduate students work a part-time job. Yet, all graduate students have a choice. Since university education is unfortunately not free in Canada we should clearly make up our mind whether we want to disembark on a life in poverty over 5-6 years and then cash in working as not so lousily paid university teacher afterwards. My advise: tough love, don't sign up for something and then expect others to financially take care of you. And let us not forget about OGS and SSHRC funding which is hardly ever mention in this rhetoric. I witnessed a substantial number of graduate students in my department receiving government grants when I was an active student.
6.) I will consider steps to discontinue my membership with CUPE 3903 (if this is in fact possible) because I do not believe that I have been fairly represented over the last ten years; neither as an undergraduate student who witnessed the 72 day strike, nor as a graduate student and contract faculty who constantly has to deal with murky union politics and. If this means working somewhere else so be it.
I decided to remain anonymous for obvious reasons.
I would like to add to the post made by the contract faculty member who expressed he does not feel as though he is represented by the union. I too feel like the union is speaking for a small minority. I, as well as many other TAs, feel embarrassed by the previous and ongoing behaviour of CUPE executives and bargaining team. Dear SRS, I AM A PARENT OF A YORK STUDENT AND I TOTALLY AGREE WITH ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE UPSET ABOUT THEIR CURRENT STRIKE. I FEEL THAT EMPLOYEES WHO CHOOSE TO DISRUPT SERVICES BY STRIKING AGAINST THE POLICIES WHICH THEY KNOWNINGLY AGREED TO AT THE TIME OF JOINING THEIR POSITIONS HAVE NO BUSINESS TO DISPUTE THOSE SAME POLICIES. BE IT AT YORK OR ANY OTHER POSITIONS LIKE TTC, VIVA, GO, ETC. ETC. MOREOVER IF THEY REALIZE THAT THEIR INITIALLY AGREED TO POLICIES DO NOT MEET WITH THEIR REQUIREMENT OR PRINICIPLES THEN THEY CAN RESIGN FROM THEIR POSITIONS, AND LET OTHERS IN THE LINEUP ACCEPT THOSE POSITIONS. IT’S JUST RIDICULOUS TO PUNISH INNOCENT STUDENTS/ PEOPLE BY HOLDING THEM HOSTAGES BY EITHER DISRUPTING THEIR EDUCATION AND JEOPARDIZING THEIR FUTURE OR TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES BY HONEST HARD WORK AND ARE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORATATION TO TRAVEL TO AND FROM THEIR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. AS IS THE STUDENTS ARE PAYING THROUGH THEIR NOSES FOR ACQUIRING AN EDUCATION, WHICH IS THEIR RIGHT IF THEY CHOOSE TO PURSUE IT AND SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR BY GOVERNMENT, IF WE WANT TO BETTER OUR AS WELL AS THE COUNTRY’S FUTURE. WHY DON’T STRIKING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR GREED TODAY WILL END UP COSTING ALL OF US INCLUDING THEM MORE IN THE FUTURE, OBVIOUSLY THE INSTITUTIONS BEING HELD HOSTAGE TO STRIKES WILL HAVE TO SETTLE BY PAYING MORE WAGES AND BENEFITS THEN WHAT THEY COULD AFFORD INITIALLY, WILL BE RECOVERED FROM THEIR CUSTOMERS…WHICH WOULD BE THE STUDENTS IN THE CASE IN POINT, WHO ALREADY FEEL ARE PAYING TOO MUCH, HENCE ALL THE PROTESTS BY THEM…. -UPSET PARENT AND A HARD WORKING CITIZEN.
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Why do students have to suffer? If the union members don’t like the offer, they better leave their jobs and find another one. Moreover, I don’t think that unions should be allowed in educational institutions at all.
--Another Upset Parent. Why do students have to suffer? If the union members don’t like the offer, they better leave their jobs and find another one. Moreover, I don’t think that unions should be allowed in educational institutions at all.
Another Upset Parent.
To Whom It May Concern: I'm extremely frustrated with this strike for many reasons. As a mature student who already has three university degrees the strike does not affect me as much as a lot of student or hit me as hard as a lot of students. I can work at home, read at home, study at home, learn at home, complete projects at home, finish papers and essays at home, etc. However that doesn't stop me from seeing the problems of the strike. First of all I can see that union bargained in bad faith. While the university continued to make new reasonable proposals during bargaining the union did not. The university was over a 9% overall increase over the next three years which is actually on the high side for any business or organization that I know of. Including the city of Toronto. However the union has held to an unbelievable overall 41% increase over the next two years. This is insanity. Especially when York University has the highest paid Teacher Assistants (TA's) in Canada. Students are feeling crushed under the cost of attending university as it is. How can students even hope that the university will drop the fees when the teachers, professors, teacher assistants, etc. are all working against the students simply out of their own greed. When it comes to dropping the fees the university is who the students go after but the university is just caught in the middle. It's unions like this who become overly greedy and loose perspective that are the real problem. On top of that the extension of classes that is caused by strikes like this cause financial hardships for students and may even cost the students summer jobs in the long run since the students will still be in class when companies, businesses, and organizations will be hiring for the summer. This makes it harder for students and their families to even afford to return to university the following year. Some students may not be able to afford to return to university at all. The reduction in student population that may occur a year later but which is definitely caused by the strike will only cause further financial concerns for the university. In which case fees will most likely go up and not down. All of this leads me to wonder just what it is that the union is fighting for? Do they have a real issue that is not insane? If they do then why play games? Why not just fight for the real issues like job security?
Is it just me? How does everyone else feel about all of this?
Hello, I would just like to voice that I was disappointed to read that the YFS stated
that all students are behind CUPE in their right to strike. I certainly don't recall being consulted as to whether or not I support the strike. I wholeheartedly do not. I am supposed to be graduating soon and this is impeding my plans. In fact this is the second time York has messed up my plans as an important summer course was cancelled this year, costing me the ability to meet requirements for a certificate I was pursuing. At any rate, I am outraged that we the students are the only victims here. I support the administration in not giving in to CUPE demands as they are outrageous. I think CUPE should give in and end this thing. I was supposed to visit family out of the country in December, but now I'm
afraid of the strike ending while I'm away and then I'll be screwed. Does anyone have any idea how long this will last? We students feel like hostages, unable to do anything, and are at the complete mercy of this ridiculous strike! Anyway I feel confident in estimating that majority of York students (those that
aren't members of CUPE) are against this strike. So in future, please don't put words in our mouths without consulting us democratically, as this contradicts your positions as representatives of the students. Thank you for listening.
Dear SRS,
I honestly don't know what to think anymore. I'm really against both sides of the table. A few of my friends are in their final year and if they don't get back in classes soon, it may be ANOTHER year for them.
I myself have fallen behind after my bad first year, and now may be further behind the rest of my friends in other universities because of this.
I've blogged about my daily take on this strike at http://yorkstrike.blogspot.com, hopefully someone will see this (i.e. York Admin.) and do something!
It's really affecting a lot of people and this has got to end. I will be at that rally next Monday. This bull**** has got to stop!
-York Strike Victim If you have something to say and want to have your voice heard, please email us at SRS@yorknothostage.com with your letters and statements.
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