Thousands of York University workers go on strike
About 3,000 York University employees are on strike as of Monday morning after negotiations with the post-secondary institution stagnated.
The union representing contract faculty, teaching and graduate assistants, research assistants and part-time librarians were planning a strike for Feb. 26 if a deal could not be reached.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Erin McIntosh, a communications officer with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 3903, said the university did not put “a single offer on the table” after the union’s strike vote Friday morning. She said the bargaining team was willing to keep negotiating throughout the weekend.
“The employer has clearly indicated they have no interest in avoiding a strike and has left already struggling workers no choice but to move ahead with the strike,” she said in a statement to CP24.
McIntosh added that access to educators eCLASS courses were suspended on Sunday night.
The two parties have been bargaining for about eight months.
A spokesperson for York University said they had offered the union proposals on Feb. 7 and Feb. 21, which they argued, “addressed crucial items, including increase in rates of pay.”
“Thus far, none of these proposals have been responded to at the bargaining table,” Yanni Dagonas said.
“The university is ensuring that students learning needs remain the top priority. Contingency plans for all other aspects of university operations are in place and will be activated as required and we will continue to work toward a swift, equitable, and sustainable agreement with CUPE 3903.”
The workers are expected to strike throughout the day on Monday, with a rally planned outside of York University subway station.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I'm ready for an election': Bloc beginning talks to topple Trudeau gov't as ultimatum expires
Bloc Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet is starting to talk to other opposition parties about bringing down Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government.
An expert stands firm on his U.S. election win prediction. Here's what he says happened after
An American presidential historian is maintaining his previous prediction of a Kamala Harris presidency as the U.S. election hits the one-week mark.
Life 'too costly': Ford defends $200 cheques for taxpayers as opposition claims he’s 'buying' votes
The Ontario government will give each taxpayer a $200 rebate. Premier Doug Ford made the announcement Tuesday and said the rebate will also extend to families with children, with an additional $200 per eligible child.
Trudeau's national security adviser shared India interference allegations with counterpart
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's national security adviser says she shared the explosive allegations about Indian officials taking part in criminal activity in Canada with her counterpart in New Delhi before the RCMP went public with the news this month.
'Elaborate encampment' with solar panels and mini-power grid dismantled by Edmonton police
Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has dismantled one of the ‘most elaborate encampments’ officers have ever seen.
CNN bans conservative commentator who made a racist 'joke' on air
CNN says a right-wing commentator will not be welcomed back on air after he made a racist remark on “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip.”
Mounties seize tens of thousands of illicit cannabis edibles packaged like candy in B.C.
Federal investigators have arrested six people and seized tens of thousands of illicit cannabis edibles disguised as popular brand-name candies after raiding a pair of dispensaries in British Columbia.
12-year-old girl among teenage suspects charged in 'suspicious' Ontario house fire
Four teenagers, including a 12-year-old girl, are facing charges after police say they set an Oshawa, Ont. home on fire while the residents were inside.
StatCan latest wealth survey shows stark disparity between homeowners, renters
Statistics Canada's latest financial security survey shows a stark disparity between the wealth of homeowners and renters, even as it fails to capture the true scale what's owned by Canada's richest families.