York University's decision to force a ratification vote a "shameful abdication" of their responsibility to bargain, says CUPE 3903

TORONTO, March 27, 2018 /CNW/ - York University's decision to seek a forced ratification vote is a "shameful abdication" of their responsibility to bargain a fair contract with their striking academic workers, according to the Chairperson of Local 3903 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 3903).

"Our members have been on strike for nearly a month," said CUPE 3903 Chairperson Devin Lefebvre. "Our bargaining team has repeatedly called on York University to come back to the table, to little or no avail. For York to now demand a forced ratification vote is a shameful abdication of their responsibility to sit down and negotiate," he added.

Earlier today, a lawyer for York University informed CUPE 3903 that they would be seeking a 'final offer ratification vote,' supervised by the Provincial Ministry of Labour.

Lefebvre said CUPE 3903's leadership and bargaining team will encourage members to reject the offer on the table.

"The offer members will vote on is not substantially changed from the offer members rejected nearly a month ago, and fails to address the key issues all three units have raised. We would ourselves be abdicating our responsibilities if we were to recommend ratification of a bad deal," he said.

Units 1, 2 and 3 of CUPE 3903, representing teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants at York University, began strike action on March 5 after members from all three units overwhelmingly rejected York's 'final offer'.

Lefebvre said that in spite of the University's decision to force a ratification vote, CUPE 3903's bargaining team remains available to bargain on short notice, as they have since the strike began.

SOURCE Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)