In honour of Black History Month, we’re sharing this list of resources to be aware of for Black CUPE 3903 members (and all racialized members).
We recognize the long and crucial history of Black CUPE 3903 members making meaningful change both within and beyond our union. The fight against anti-Black racism and all systemic racism is an ongoing struggle. Black members of CUPE 3903 are not only an integral part of our community, but leaders in the continual journey of making our spaces more inclusive and empowering.
Our union has lots of different resources when it comes to navigating your workplace as a Black or otherwise racialized CUPE 3903 member. Here are just a few resources out of many!
BIPOC Caucus
- The Black and/or Indigenous and/or People of Colour (BIPOC) Caucus is an informal group within CUPE 3903 that has been established to respond to the ongoing need for community, networking, and support.
- One of their major goals for the 2024-2025 academic year is to create spaces for BIPOC members to be in community and in conversation with each other.
- Want to know more about the BIPOC Caucus? Email the Lead Steward Unit 3 at cupe3903csu3@gmail.com!
Workplace Protections
- Being a CUPE 3903 member means having strong protections through your Collective Agreement against racial discrimination and harassment in your workplace.
- This means having access to accommodations, representation, mediation, grievances, and other ways to support you if you face these types of racism at work.
- If you’ve experienced workplace violence of any kind, make sure to reach out to our Staff Representative Equity. Your conversations with her are confidential, and she can inform you more about how the union can have your back.
Advisory Committee on Race/Ethnic Relations, Discrimination and/or Harassment
- The mandate of this joint committee of CUPE 3903 and York University is to discuss and investigate systemic and/or individual discrimination, interference, restriction, harassment or coercion exercised or practiced with respect to any union member in their employment relationship, by reason of race, colour, nationality, ancestry, place of origin or native language.
Support Fund for Racialized Members
- A significant win from our most recent bargaining and strike for Units 1, 2, and 3!
- This $25,000 fund goes toward CUPE 3903’s ongoing support of racialized employees in the bargaining unit who confront and experience race related and/or other intersecting forms of discrimination, harassment, and/or violence.
- A committee has been initiated to get this fund going!