#cupe3902

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University protests around the world: a fight against commercialisation

Academics and students in Canada, the Netherlands and the UK explain why they are taking a stand against their institutions

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Published today in the Toronto Star.

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Earlier today, the University and CUPE 3902 met to discuss a potential agreement. The university proposed a counter deal to the one CUPE 3902 put forward. Allegedly, this deal offered less than the original agreement put forward and was rejected by the bargaining team. The ASSU Executive, like all undergraduates at the University of Toronto tonight received an e-mail from the Provost's office notifying us of this development. In it, the University assures students that everything will be done to save the term, especially for those students who are graduating. Specifically, they say that "they are working with divisions and Faculties to identify concrete options for those courses that have been affected by striking CUPE 3902 instructors". We are wary of this statement - as it alludes to the possibility of other instructors taking over the course, or to drastic syllabi changes. Many of our students have already reported this. When the university says "its priority is to ensure our students complete the term", it is laughable. Their priority is to fill some of the void with strikebreakers. To attempt to stem a massive wound with a couple of bandages. As we have said previously, these methods being applied are ineffective and may decrease the quality of education being received in the course. Suddenly changing instructors, changing evaluation methods and assignments can adversely affect a student's academic record. Students are paying money for a subpar education. If the university's actual priority is to help us undergraduates - they would be meeting, every day with the union to find a deal. And they would offer a deal that attempts to address the grievances put forward by the union. Instead, Simcoe Hall preoccupies itself with crafting clever statements and e-mails to students. This is a callous disregard for what we are asking for - which is for U of T to negotiate in good faith. We, like many students are angry. Simcoe Hall, stop playing games with our education - negotiate! To our members - we will not stop fighting for your rights. If you have any questions or feel like your rights are being violated, please visit our office at SS1068 or e-mail us at [email protected] Let the provost know how you feel: [email protected]"

From the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Students’ Union, in response to the shit offer UofT admin tried to pass off to its CUPE 3902 Unit 1 members today, offering less than the original tentative agreement. 

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parachute rally at u of t today! i was busy being unpopular with the lexus drivers and blocking cars at the rotman parking lot, so i missed all the fun.

photos by people at CUPE3902 and Joe.

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Current Status of Negotiations at York U.

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Teaching Assistants and Adjuncts at Canada's Two Largest Universities Strike: It's a Fight for the Future of Higher Education

Teaching Assistants and Adjuncts at Canada’s Two Largest Universities Strike: It’s a Fight for the Future of Higher Education

Canada’s two largest universities, the University of Toronto and York University, are experiencing something they haven’t seen for a while: 10,000 teaching assistants and contract faculty on strike. The strikes have effectively shut down the two universities about a month before the end of their semesters, putting everything on hold for over 100,000 students.

The strikes at the two Toronto-based…

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[cupe3902unit1strikeblog]

A post on my personal blog about my decision to strike and the university's undervaluing of education workers. 

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Writer David Chariandy cancels reading at U of T to picket with CUPE 3902 

Dear CUPE 3902 (copied to Margeaux Feldman and Philip Sayers, English Graduate Students Association),

My name is David Chariandy, and I am a fiction writer and member of the department of English at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. I am writing to inform you of my decision not to accept an invitation to read from my novel on campus this Friday, as currently advertised on the U of T department of English website. I am declining this invitation in order to indicate my solidarity with the striking 3902 teachers -- including, of course, those teaching English -- who all deserve fair pay and security for the crucial work they perform at the University of Toronto.

Sincerely,

David Chariandy