Dear York University History Chair Thabit Abdullah, Graduate History Chair Jeremy Trevett, Undergraduate History Chair Deborah Neill, and all sitting members of the University Senate:

We are writing as a response to the letter posted here.

As your past and current York University Graduate History students we urgently request that you:

1. Immediately suspend all classes that continue to be held in your respective programs and
2. Pressure the University Senate and the Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Faculty Council to immediately suspend all classes that continue to be run at York University both on campus and online for the duration of the CUPE 3903 strike.

York University History is known internationally as a centre for social, cultural and intellectual history and has produced some of Canada’s finest scholars in labour, gender, environmental and Indigenous history. As scholars in these fields we have contributed to marginalised histories: the working class; women; the LGBTQ2S community; Indigenous peoples. How can we claim to teach the experiences of those without power and then turn around and ask our undergraduate students to cross picket lines and ignore the working conditions of our Unit 2 colleagues and graduate students? It is unfathomable.

CUPE 3903 has had a direct impact on the success of the History Department, attracting some of the top scholars and training many of us for careers in labour. CUPE 3903 members have gone on to lead faculty unions across Canada. York University is not alone in its struggles with labour disruption. Strikes at York, University of Toronto, Laurentian, University of Manitoba, Carleton, University of Northern British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and the historic 2017 strike of Ontario’s Colleges all took place in the last five years.

We believe that the continuation of classes is not in the best interest of students, and does not promote academic integrity. The university administration is aware of this, and its intention is to undermine the union and put its members in a precarious position. During the last strike in 2015, union members in the History Department received death threats on the picket lines, and other members of the union were hit by vehicles. This strike has already, in the first week, put our members in danger from extremely aggressive drivers. Last week an aggressive driver at Chimneystack Road (where History performs picketing duties) drove beside, and then into, the picket line area. His excuse – he was “late to class.” A driver at the Northwest Gate assaulted the picketers because he had a midterm – was it one of ours? Failing to cancel classes directly threatens our members’ health and safety – members of not only CUPE 3903, but also members of the History Department. Heavier traffic coming into campus puts our bodies in danger. Considering this very real threat to our members and colleagues, we earnestly implore history faculty to consider our safety and not conduct their classes during the strike.

Other departments, faculties, and student groups have already requested the immediate suspension of classes during the strike in solidarity with CUPE 3903, including: Faculty of Environmental Science graduate students; the York Federation of Students Access Centre; the College President’s Association; and the Departments of Social Science; Sociology; Political Science; Gender; Feminist & Women’s Studies; the School of Translation; Cinema and Media Arts; Equity Studies; Communication Studies; FES; Social Work, and Anthropology.

We ask you to reconsider your position.

In Solidarity with 3903 and our other faculty unions across Canada,

• Aaron Armstrong, PhD Student, York University; CUPE 3903
• Aaron Miedema,  BA Carleton University, BFA York University; MA Royal Military College of Canada,PhD (ABD) York University
• Abril Liberatori, PhD York University
• Adrian Gamble, PhD candidate, ABD, York University
• Aitana Guia, PhD York University, Assistant Professor, California State University Fullerton
• Alan Corbiere, Ph. D candidate, York University
• Alban Bargain, PhD York University; Contract Faculty at York
• Alex Gagne, PhD Student, York University; CUPE 3903
• Amanda Robinson, BA, MA (York University), PhD Candidate, ABD (York University), Course Director, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
• Andrew Watson, PhD York University; Assistant Professor, University of Saskatchewan
• Angela Rooke, BA University of Waterloo; MA, PhD York University
• Angela Zhang, BA University of Toronto; MA Queen’s University; PhD; CUPE 3903
• Anne Toews, PhD (ABD) York University; Instructor, Langara College; Langara Faculty Association
• Ashlee Barwell HBA, MA, PhD (ABD), York University
• Avram Heisler, BA (Specialized Honours), MA, PhD (ABD), York University – current CUPE 3903 Steward, Department of History
• Barbara Molas, BA Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Spain), MA Freie Universitat Berlin (Germany) and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Spain), PhD candidate, York University
• Barry Torch, BA, Wilfrid Laurier University, MA, PhD (ABD), York University; CUPE 3903
• Brad Meredith, BA, MA, PhD (ABD)
• Brittany Luby, PhD York University; Assistant Professor, University of Guelph
• Brooke Sales-Lee, BA University of California Berkeley, MA York University
• Bruce Douville, PhD York University — Part-time faculty member in History at Algoma University
• Carly Murdoch, BA York University, MA University of Western Ontario, PhD (ABD) York University
• Carly Naismith, BA, MA, PhD (ABD), York University, CUPE 3903 (Unit 1)
• Carly Simpson, BA, MA Western University; PhD (ABD) York University; Partial Load Faculty Conestoga College; OPSEU 237
• Caroline Butt, BA (Hons), Memorial University, MA, Dalhousie University, PhD (ABD) York University
• Chelsea Bauer CUPE 3903 Unit 1 Bargaining Team
• Christine Grandy, PhD, York University; Senior Lecturer, University of Lincoln; British Academy Mid-Career Fellow
• Christine McLaughlin, BA, MA, Trent University, PhD (ABD) York University, Executive Director, UOIT Faculty Association
• Christopher Frank, PhD,York University; Associate Professor of History, University of Manitoba
• Christopher Grafos, PhD, Research Associate, York University
• Christopher Kshyk, BA (Hons.), University of Winnipeg; MA, York University
• Chris Vogel, BA Western University, MA, PhD York University, CUPE 3903 Member
• Cristiana Conti, BA, Tor Vergata University, Rome (Italy), MA, PhD (ABD), York University
• Cynthia Loch-Drake, PhD, York University, Contract Faculty, Schulich School of Business (CUPE 3903-exempt)
• Dagomar Degroot, PhD York University; Assistant Professor, Georgetown University
• Dan Horner, BA, McGill University; MA, PhD, York University; Assistant Professor, Ryerson University
• Daniel Ross, MA, PhD York University; Assistant Professor, UQÀM
• Daniel Xie, BA, University of Toronto; MA, York University
• Dave Hazzan, BA, University of Victoria; MA, Athabasca University; PhD student, York University; CUPE 3903 Member
• Dave Smith, PhD, York University, Professor, Durham College, OPSEU 354 member
• David Molenhuis, BA, University of Western Ontario; MA, York University
• Della Roussin, BA, MA-UBC, PhD (ABD) York University
• Douglas Hunter, PhD, York University
• Elaine Naylor, Ph.D, York University, Associate Professor, Mount Allison University
• Elizabeth O’Gorek, Capital Community News (Washington DC), BA University of Winnipeg, MA University of Waterloo, PhD (ABD) York University
• Émilie Pigeon, PhD; Lab Coordinator, Métis Family and Community Research Lab, Institute of Canadian and Aboriginal Studies University of Ottawa; APTPUO
• Emily Vey, BA York; MA Laurentian;  PhD Candidate York University
• Enrico Moretto, BA, University of Toronto; MA, PhD Student, York University
• Erica McCloskey, BA, MA, PhD (ABD), York University; CUPE 3903
• Erin Dolmage, BA, MA, University of British Columbia; PhD (ABD) York University; Professor Seneca College; OPSEU 560
• Evelyn Hielkema, MA York University, PhD Candidate, York University, CUPE 3903
• Francesca D’Amico-Cuthbert, PhD (ABD) York University, Filmmaker
• Funke Aladejebi, PhD York University, MA York University, Assistant Professor (limited term), Gender and Women’s Studies Department, Trent University.
• Geoff Read, PhD (York University), Associate Professor of History, Huron University College
• Gilberto Fernandes, PhD, York University; Postdoctoral Visitor, Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies; Course Director (YUFA), HIST4530, Department of History, York University
• Gillian Poulter, BA, BEd, MA, PhD (York University), Associate Professor, Acadia University
• Golaleh P., PhD (ABD) York University
• Graeme Melcher, BA (Hons.), Queen’s University, MA, York University; JD, Dalhousie
• Haley Gienow-McConnell, Brock University, BA, MA History; York University, PhD ABD History
• Harrison Forsyth, BA, York; MA, University of Alberta; PhD (ABD) York; CUPE 3903
• Ian Mosby, PhD, York University
• Jaclyn Mika, BA, Ryerson University, MA student York University
• James Muir, PhD, York University; Associate Professor of History and Law, University of Alberta.
• James Naylor, PhD, York University; Professor Brandon University
• Janice Matsumura, PhD (York University), Associate Professor, Simon Fraser University
• Jarett Henderson, PhD, York University; Associate Professor, Mount Royal University
• Jarvis Brownlie, Professor, University of Manitoba
• Jason Chartrand, BA (Hons.) King’s University College at Western University; MA, PhD Student, York University, GHSA Co-President, CUPE 3903 (Unit 1)
• Jay Young, PhD York University, AMAPCEO
• Jesse Thistle BA; MA; PhD Student, York University; Resident Scholar of Indigenous Homelessness The Homeless Hub
• Jen Hassum, BA, MA, PhD (ABD) York University
• Jim Clifford, PhD, York University; Associate Professor, University of Saskatchewan.
• Joanna L. Pearce, BA, MA, PhD (ABD), York University; CUPE 3903
• Jodi Burkett, BA (Hons) University of Toronto, MA McGill, PhD York, Principal Lecturer and Subject Leader for History University of Portsmouth UK
• Johanna Lewis, BSc, University of Toronto; MA, PhD Student, York University; CUPE 3903
• Joseph Tohill, PhD York University
• Julia Pyryeskina, BA, York University; MA, York University (History); YUSA member
• Karen Macfarlane, PhD, York University (History)
• Karlee Sapoznik Evans, BAH, MA, PhD York University; Research and Policy Advisor, Government of Manitoba.
• Kate Barker, BA (Hons), Queen’s University; BAA, Ryerson University; MA, PhD (ABD) York University; part-time instructor Ryerson School of Journalism; CUPE 3904
• Katharine Bausch, PhD (York University), Assistant Professor, Carleton University
• Kathryn Magee Labelle, PhD; Associate Professor University of Saskatchewan
• Kevin Burris, BA (Hons), Simon Fraser University; MA, PhD (ABD) York University; CUPE 3903
• Kevin Chrisman, PhD Candidate, York University
• Kristin Burnett, PhD, York University; Assistant Professor, Department of Indigenous Learning, Lakehead University;
• Kristine Alexander, PhD York University, Canada Research Chair & Assistant Professor of History, the University of Lethbridge
• Kristopher Radford PhD, PhD York University
• Kyle Prochnow, BA, Saint Mary’s College of California; MA, Boston College; PhD (ABD) York University; CUPE 3903
• Lee Slinger, MA PhD York University; Editor, The Dance Current
• Lisa Chilton, PhD York University, Associate Professor, History Dept, UPEI
• Luke Hagemann, BA, UNC Chapel Hill; MA, York University; PhD Student, Emory University
• Lydia Wytenbroek, BA, MA, PhD (ABD) York University
• Lynne Marks, PhD York University, Professor, History Department, University of Victoria
• Lynn MacKay, BA, MA, PhD (York University), Professor, Brandon University
• Madeleine Chartrand, BA, University of Manitoba; MA, PhD York University
• Mark Rosenfeld, Ph.D (York University), Executive Director, Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations
• Marlee Couling, BAHon, Brandon University; MA, PhD (ABD) York University; CUPE 3903
• Maryann Buri, BA, Brandon University; MA, PhD (ABD) York University; CUPE 3903
• Mary Franks, BA, University of California Santa Cruz, MA University of Kansas, PhD (ABD) York University
• Mathieu Brûlé, BA, MA, University of Ottawa; PHD York University (ABD); Negotiator, Public Service Alliance of Canada; member Unifor 2025
• Matthew Poggi, PhD (ABD) York; CUPE 3903 (Unit 1)
• Matthew Robertshaw, BA, MA University of Guelph; PhD student York University; CUPE 3903 Unit 1 Member
• Maximilian Smith, BA, University of Toronto; MA, PhD (ABD) York University
• Michael Ainsworth, BA, Laurier; BEd, York University; MA, York University; PhD (ABD), York University
• Michael Akladios, BA (Spec. Hons.), MA, PhD (ABD) York University
• Natasha Henry, PhD Student, York University
• Nathan Ince, BA Carleton University, MA York University PhD (ABD) McGill University
• Nelson Marques, BA, MA, York University; MA; PhD (ABD) University of Miami.
• Noa Nahmias, PhD (ABD) York University, CUPE 3903 member
• Olya Murphy, PhD (ABD) York University, CUPE 3903 member
• Pamela J. Fuentes, PhD York University, Assistant Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies Department, Pace University-NYC
• Patrice Allen, PhD Student York University, CUPE 3903 member
• Paul Aikenhead, PhD (ABD) York University
• Raluca Andrei, BA, BEd, MA, York University; OCT
• Reut Ullman, BA, MA (York University); former CUPE 3903 Unit 3 member; PhD candidate at Columbia University
• Richard Aronson, CPA,CMA, BComm Concordia University; BA, MA, PhD(ABD) York University
• Rob Kristofferson, PhD (York), Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University
• Ronald Morris, PhD (ABD) York University
• Ruth Frager, PhD, York University; Associate Professor, McMaster University
• Ryan Targa, PhD (ABD), York University, Course Director, CUPE 3903 Member
• Samantha Desroches, BA, Western University; MA, York University, PhD (ABD) Western University
• Samantha Rohrig, BA, University of Manitoba; MA, Brock University; PhD Student, York University; CUPE 3903
• Sara Farhan, PhD (ABD) York University
• Sarah Elvins, MA, York University; PhD, York University; Associate Professor University of Manitoba
• Sara Howdle, BA, UofM; MA; PhD (ABD) York, Coordinator for the Indigenous Women’s  Resilience Project, Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta
• Sara Muscat, BA, Carleton University; MA, Queen’s University; PhD (ABD), York University
• Serge Miville, PhD York University; Professeur adjoint, Chaire de recherche en histoire de l’Ontario français, Université Laurentienne; LUFAPPUL
• Shannon Stettner, PhD (York University), Contract Faculty, University of Waterloo
• Sheila McManus, PhD York University 2001, Professor of History, University of Lethbridge
• Stacy Nation-Knapper, PhD York University; Postdoctoral Fellow, Wilson Institute for Canadian History, McMaster University
• Stuart Henderson, PhD
• Susan Roy, Associate Professor, University of Waterloo, former York postdoc
• Tarah Brookfield, PhD, York University; Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University
• Thomas Peace, PhD (York University); Assistant Professor, Huron University College
• Tom Hooper, PhD York University, CSSP York History. BA, MA University of Guelph
• Tommaso Leoni, PhD (ABD) York University
• Travis Hay, PhD (ABD) York University; MA Lakehead University; Sessional Instructor in Departments of Indigenous Learning and Political Science, Lakehead University
• Tristan Ellis, MA York University. High School Teacher, Kuwait City. OCT.
• Valentina Capurri, PhD (York University)
• Valerie Deacon, PhD (York University), Clinical Assistant Professor, NYU Shanghai
• Vanessa S. Oliveira, PhD York University; Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Toronto
• Victoria Jackson, PhD (ABD) York University
• Will Baker, PhD (ABD), York;  former steward, CUPE, Local 3903
• Will Fysh, MA (York University), PhD candidate (University of Toronto)
• William Gleberzon PhD MED, York University, History and Humanities Department
• William Goldbloom, BA, University of British Columbia; MA, York University (History); JD, University of Toronto
• Zachary Consitt, BA, BEd, MA, PhD Candidate, York University; CUPE 3903