MEDIA ADVISORY “It’s time to support good jobs and help avert strikes”: CUPE Front-Line Education and Service Workers Hold a Rally at U of T

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE 3902 and CUPE 3261, representing two bargaining units of approximately 1,100 contract education workers and 700 full time and part time front-line service workers respectively, are holding a rally to call on the university to support good jobs and avert potential strikes.

CUPE 3902, Unit 3 has set improvements to job security as a bargaining priority because of the deliberate precarization of university education, and this membership. In negotiations with U of T, it has asked the University to recognize the service of these educators who deliver a large proportion of undergraduate teaching.

“Good jobs are secure jobs,” says Amy Conwell, President of CUPE 3902. “These are jobs that ensure improved working conditions for contract educators. And these are jobs that ensure we can deliver the high-quality education that U of T says students deserve.”

CUPE 3261 has challenged the accelerating trend of contracting out because of growing inequality and negative impact on service standards. In negotiations with U of T, it has asked to limit contracting out of service work ahead of the strike deadline of Monday, November 21, 2022.

“Good jobs are disappearing at U of T, while poverty wage jobs are increasing due to contracting out,” says Allan James, President of CUPE 3261. “U of T says it cares about equity and social impact, and it’s time its decision-makers match those words with action. We want to continue providing services, but if necessary, our members are prepared to strike to stand up for good jobs and quality services.”

WHO:

CUPE 3902 President, Amy Conwell, representing members that include Sessional lecturers and Sessional Instructional Assistants, Writing Instructors, and Music Professionals.

CUPE 3261 President, Allan James, representing members that include caretakers, building patrol, food services, grounds and maintenance services, parking, mail services, veterinary technologists for research animals, and more.

Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario, representing 280,000 members in Ontario.

UTM Student Union President Maëlis Barre

UTSU Student Union President Omar Gharbiyeh

Arts & Science Student Union President Fatemeh Nami

WHAT:

Demonstration followed by action to send messages to U of T decision makers

WHEN:

Wednesday November 16, 12:00 pm

WHERE:

Outside Sidney Smith, 100 St. George Street

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