On October 3 and 7, CUPE 1281 – the union representing the staff who work for the York University Faculty Association (YUFA), will be meeting with a Ministry of Labour appointed conciliator. Unfortunately, the parties remain far apart. The YUFA Executive continues to misrepresent both their own proposals and those of the staff, while circulating misinformation to YUFA’s members.

To ensure transparency and factual accuracy, we are sharing a letter sent to all YUFA members on September 24, which includes both the most recent full proposal packages from CUPE 1281 and from YUFA.

Throughout bargaining, staff at YUFA have been transparent about our challenges in the workplace and our goals to protect our job security against top-down restructuring, harassment, and discrimination. CUPE 1281 staff have been reaching out to YUFA members in advance of conciliation, urging YUFA members to contact their bargaining team to bargain fairly with staff.

YUFA’s proposals aim to weaken the staff union and roll back hard-won rights. In contrast, CUPE 1281’s proposals are modest and aimed at improving workplace health, safety and wellbeing. YUFA’s concessionary package seeks to:

• change the definition of the bargaining unit to allow non-union hiring and contracting out, including scabbing
• remove staff participation from key YUFA meetings and silence staff voices
• strip anti-harassment and anti-discrimination protections from the collective agreement, and
• delete safeguards against electronic monitoring, abuse of management authority, and other essential protections.

The changes YUFA is seeking as an employer would ultimately undermine YUFA as a certified trade union itself. By attacking and weakening its staff’s collective agreement, YUFA undermines its own ability to defend against the actions of its own employer (York University) and pushes the broader labour movement several steps backwards. These actions also erode YUFA’s credibility and undercut any claims it may make to intra-union solidarity at York or within the broader labour movement.

YUFA staff play a pivotal role in defending the rights of YUFA members. Why is YUFA not defending its staff?

Sign this e-action now and urge the YUFA Executive to settle a fair and equitable contract without union-busting concessions.