Sun Nov. 30 2008 2:44:58 PM
Talks between YorkU, union called off Saturday as strike drags on
cp24.com
Striking CUPE 3903 members slow down the entry of traffic as they picket at York University in this file photo. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)
Talks between York University administration, CUPE negotiators and a mediator were suspended Saturday as a strike cancelling classes for nearly 50,000 students drags into its fourth week, the school says.
The university and striking union met on Thursday for the first time since the strike began, but the talks have been called off.
"We understood that CUPE 3903 had a new framework to reach a settlement, but in the end their monetary demands were 28 per cent over two years with more than 120 proposals still on the table," university spokesperson Alex Bilyk said in a statement on the school's website.
"Their demands are not realistic and they are not affordable, especially in a worsening economy."
However, the striking union says talks were never suspended and the union is hoping to meet again on Tuesday.
"We care about our students," says CUPE 3903 spokesperson Rafeef Ziadah. "We are the ones who teach the students, so we really care about getting them back into the classroom."
Frustration amongst students is growing, however, with some planning a rally at Queens Park Tuesday aiming to encourage the provincial government to force binding arbitration.
One student, who was initially in support of the striking teaching assistants, contract faculty and researchers, says she is now withdrawing her support.
"I'm not against the individuals themselves, but I'm upset at the situation," says final-year York student Jody Heffernan.
She says the ongoing strike is ridiculous and frustrating. "It's totally not fair," she says. "We're just left in limbo."
While Ziadah says one of the main issues is the hiring of contract faculty, she concedes that the union is also pushing for a two year contract instead of a three-year contact, which the university is offering and the union has accepted in the past.
She says a two-year contract would expire at a time when several other unions would be able to negotiate a province-wide contract with other universities.
"It is one of our key priority demands," she told CP24.COM.
The union says it is now "streamlining" some of its demands in anticipation of further discussions with the university.
"We keep taking what the employer says and (are) working with it to bring negotiations closer," Ziadah says.
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Comments are now closed for this story
November 30, 2008 at 7:14:31 PM
Yoko
There will be class action lawsuit if fourth year students lose their year.
I am disappointed at all parties involved!!!
November 30, 2008 at 9:41:22 PM
disilluzzzion
RIDICULOUS!!!. PLS. END THE STRIKE ASAP...
December 01, 2008 at 10:34:59 PM
Udai Agarwal
Since it has taken so long for both the parties to come to an agreement, the tempo of studying that is set for the students when they study has been lost. I don't think students want to come to York now and hear that final exams will start in a few days. I wonder what reputation York university will have when the strike is over.
December 01, 2008 at 8:14:36 AM
Shayna
this is actually unbelievable!!! it's actually funny at this point because we won't be going back to school for a while!! wow what a crappy school..
December 01, 2008 at 9:20:37 AM
Jas
I can do nothing but laugh at the fact that CUPE can say with a straight face that they care about the students.
"We are the ones who teach the students"
Yes, it's really unfortunate that you are the ones who teach...
December 01, 2008 at 10:26:59 AM
JoMcc
Make them essential survices and stop this student abuse.Yhis is horrendous behaviour for so called professional.perhaps they shoud go back to making less than senior nurses and nevermind the 10,000+ more they make
December 01, 2008 at 10:59:29 AM
Sarah (North York)
I am just tired and exausted from all of this --- so much for happy holidays ...
December 01, 2008 at 11:00:23 AM
HYHY
totally agree with the fact that any studying tempo that was set HAS BEEN LOST!!!
I have Xmas plans... They are NOT interrupting my vacation!!!
GET BACK TO THE TABLES LIKE MATURE PPL AND TALK!!!
December 01, 2008 at 12:28:17 PM
Bthree Bala
Im a york student...if they end the strike now it wouldn't benefit the students because it would just cut into our christmas break...the least they can do is give the students an update on whats going to happen to their school year
December 01, 2008 at 1:34:14 PM
kl
I am a student of Seneca College: School of Communication Arts, which unfortunately is located on York University’s property. York University and Seneca College are two separate institutions. Hundreds of students and I have paid tuition to attend Seneca College- not York.
We should not be effected in any way by their situation; however students and faculty members of Seneca College have been negatively affected and inconvenienced on a daily basis since the very first day of the strike. It is getting dark early and the weather is getting worse, but we are forced to walk off campus to the buses because of the strike.
December 01, 2008 at 1:36:35 PM
Very Upset at York
At this point it only makes sense to go back in January, it would be an absolute waste of time to start back now and then have Christmas break for 2 weeks. York should release a statement saying if it will be a January or a December restart, so people can make travel plans. I regret going to York!!
December 01, 2008 at 2:35:41 PM
John Fliss
The union paints the university as the "greedy institution" holding on to every cent. And the university continues to outline the unrealistic (and expensive) demands of the union. In between is the truth and 50 0000 students. And as a student (attending) York, I'm getting tired of all the cliche statements.
End this joke of a strike, end the he said she said pathetic arguments about who is looking out for the students, cause in the each party is only looking out for themselves. No one in education deserves a 4% increase from year to year, not even teachers received that much this year. And if you have a hard time understanding that then maybe you are in the wrong profession.