Statement from President Meric Gertler re: CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Strike

TL;DR

The University of Toronto is proposing binding arbitration as a way to end the ongoing strike, guaranteeing a resolution and preserving the academic year for all students.

Transcript

the past several weeks have been a troubling time for all of us faculty staff and students have been respectful of the collective bargaining process in both QP 3902 unit one and the university have tried to arrive at a settlement to end the strike both sides have worked hard to find a deal and yet today almost four weeks into the strike we find our... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Both the university and the union have been unable to reach a settlement despite months of negotiations, leading to an impasse.
• ❤️‍🩹 The university is emphasizing the need to preserve the academic year and end the strike in a respectful and civil manner.
• 😑 Binding arbitration is seen as the most expeditious way to resolve the strike, with the university expressing hope that the union will agree to this approach.
• 🧑‍🎓 Students' patience and determination to continue their studies during the strike are acknowledged and appreciated by the university.
• 🧑‍🎓 The university has not invoked the policy on academic disruption thus far, but is exploring all possibilities to ensure timely completion of students' academic terms.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the university plan to end the strike?

The university is proposing binding arbitration, where an independent third party would arbitrate all remaining matters in dispute. This would guarantee a final resolution that both parties would have to accept, effectively ending the strike.

Q: Has the union responded to the proposal for binding arbitration?

As of now, the university has not received a response from the union. The proposal was conveyed through the provincial mediator.

Q: Why is the university proposing binding arbitration instead of continuing bilateral negotiations?

The university believes that the time for bargaining has passed and a fresh approach is necessary. Binding arbitration would provide a neutral resolution and expedite the end of the strike.

Q: How is the university ensuring that students can complete their courses on time?

The university is working diligently to ensure that all students can complete their courses according to the regular timetable. Measures are being taken to enable graduation on time and minimize any academic disruptions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The University of Toronto has been in a strike for almost four weeks, with two main issues remaining unresolved: preserving the academic year and ending the strike in a respectful manner.

• The university is calling for binding arbitration, in which an independent third party appointed by the provincial mediator would resolve all remaining disputes and bring an immediate end to the strike.

• The university acknowledges the stress faced by students and urges the union to agree to binding arbitration to ensure a timely resolution.