257 YUFA members and 6 retirees have signed an open letter to Senate Executive expressing extreme concern about the resumption of classes while the strike continues. The letter urges the University Administration to go back to the bargaining table and to make solid offers for a quick and fair settlement with CUPE Units 1 and 3.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO DEPARTMENTAL AND UNIT LISTS. APOLOGIES FOR CROSS POSTINGS

Dear colleagues,

257 YUFA members and 6 retirees have signed an open letter to Senate Executive expressing extreme concern about the resumption of classes while the strike continues. The letter urges the University Administration to go back to the bargaining table and to make solid offers for a quick and fair settlement with CUPE Units 1 and 3.

We welcome new signatures for the open letter  The updated version (see below) will be submitted tomorrow, Thursday,  to Senate Executive, just before they start their meeting to discuss the possible Monday resumption of classes across the university. The meeting is at 2:00 pm in Kaneff Tower, and you may like to join us outside in the sun as we hand over the letter to members of Senate Executive.

If you wish to sign this letter, please send to Ricardo Grinspun <ricardo@yorku.ca>.

If you have comments on this text or wish to share or access other relevant texts and petitions, please write to Jody Berland <jberland@yorku.ca>.

A petition started by undergraduates stating support for CUPE and the refusal to cross picket lines (currently 4440 signatures) can be accessed at
http://3903.cupe.ca/2015/03/10/undergrad-petition-in-support-of-cupe-3903/

Thanks,
Jody and Ricardo

OPEN MESSAGE TO SENATE EXECUTIVE AND UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION

Dear members of Senate Executive and York University administration,

We the undersigned members of YUFA express our extreme concern about the resumption of classes while the strike of CUPE1 and CUPE3 continues.

To resume teaching in some schools, programs and courses, but not others, and to reach a settlement with some units of CUPE, but not others, is divisive and destructive. We oppose resuming classes while CUPE is on strike and insist that the University administration focuses on a constructive settlement with the union. We urge the university to go back to the bargaining table, place a serious offer on the table and end this strike.

We are deeply concerned about student and employee safety and well being, and about the tarnished reputation of the university as a safe and caring place. CUPE members, other unions and a significant number of undergraduate students will not cross the picket lines. Faculty face complicated problems for course planning and pedagogy, academic integrity, continuity and workload. Moreover, many of our core commitments and values are threatened by the employer’s approach in this dispute. By not continuing negotiations, the employer is acting in a way that undermines core principles of the University mandate: fairness, justice, accessibility, respect for learning and for workers and students. We are also concerned about the troubled reputation and public face of York, which will not be enhanced by stories of disruption, widespread student disenchantment, or violence. This will have negative consequences for enrollment that cannot be countered by expensive marketing.

More than 4,300 currently enrolled undergraduate students have signed a petition stating their refusal to cross the picket line. Many CUPE2 and YUFA faculty will not cross them even if their programs re-open.  Since Senate Executive approved resumption of some classes, it is essential that it reaffirms Senate policy that all students who respect the picket lines are protected from repercussions. As students emphasize in their petition, however, return to classes during a strike introduces significant hazards and stress for everyone. We recall the chaos that ensued during a CUPE strike in 2000-01. Senate Executive decided to continue classes with instructors who were not on strike. A situation of enormous complexity and distress developed for everyone involved, but particularly for students.  Some YUFA instructors returned to teaching, many others did not.

Similarly, resumption of classes during the current strike means that CUPE2 instructors will be asked to go back to teaching. Some may refuse to cross the picket lines of their own union. What happens to their courses? When will the academic term end and the next one commence? According to which timetables? How do faculty and students manage two simultaneous term calendars: one for instructors teaching, the second for those not crossing the picket lines? What’s the impact on students having to deal with courses running on different calendars?

— In classes where instructors go back to teach, students are protected by Senate policy from repercussions if they choose not to cross picket lines. So these instructors will in turn have two sets of students, those who will return to class and those who will not. Can YUFA instructors be forced to deal with the added workload, and will CUPE2 instructors be paid for the added workload?

–What will happen to classes with graders,TAs, tutorials, and labs? Will courses proceed without scheduled assignments, tutorials, labs, or examinations and what are the academic implications? Will YUFA and CUPE2 course directors be forced to take on these tasks? What happens if course directors do not agree or are not able to do so?

–There will also be transportation chaos and an increase in safety concerns: All public transportation will continue to stop at the picket line at the edge of campus during the day. Persons with disabilities will need to make special arrangements, which may not be timely or sufficient. This risky prospect is in itself a good reason not to restart classes until the strike has been resolved.

— Picket lines will become extremely dangerous: We witnessed with horror the event at Shoreham Drive last week when a driver struck two picketers with his car.  If classes restart, thousands of cars and pedestrians will be crossing the picket lines. Strikers may extend their picket line hours to address evening classes. This situation invites further events with serious safety implications

–There will be tension and conflict on our campus: During this strike, we have upheld a sense of respect and civility towards others, and yet conflict and injury have arisen. It is not difficult to foresee changes for the worse with classes running during the strike and students and teachers feeling equally upset and disrespected.

We urge Senate Executive to maintain a full suspension of classes until all units of CUPE settle, and the University Administration to go back to the bargaining table and make solid offers seeking a quick and fair settlement with CUPE Units 1 and 3.

Respectfully signed,

[signatories as of 11:00 pm, 11 March]

Retired members: