It is time for us to get ready for another round of bargaining — beginning with research.
At the August GMM the CUPE 3903 Executive Committee will propose that the local elect a new bargaining team (BT) this Fall for units 1, 2 and 3 so that we can be ready to bargain by the summer of 2026. To hit the ground running, the Bargaining Research & Preparation Committee (BRC)* is looking to undertake the following research projects:
- Project 1: Surveys. Developing and soliciting responses to surveys of the membership on work availability, overwork, cost of living, job security, and other issues our members experience.
- Project 2: York U finances. Looking at York’s financial reports, budgets, and enrolment reports, we will compile facts on York’s revenue and spending and situate CUPE 3903 in the institution and in relation to other employee groups.
- Project 3: Sectoral comparison. This will involve looking at what other locals have achieved in the sector. It would also involve reaching out to other locals to gather information that would allow us to compare York’s financial profile to other universities.
- Project 4: Negotiation tactics. This will involve archival research into lessons learned in previous rounds of bargaining about York’s bargaining tactics and how to respond to them. It may also involve general research on negotiation strategies.
- Project 5: Contract language. We will read collective agreements together, focusing on how the language is used and what its possibilities and limits are. This group may also be interested in looking into our archive to see how the language has changed.
It is vital that members get involved now. Please email 3903brc@gmail.com and indicate which project(s) you are interested in joining.
Each project group will organize itself as its capacity allows, striving to work in the friendly and collaborative way that makes our union effective and strong.
* The Bargaining Research & Preparation Committee is Keisha Bell (Unit 1), Neil Braganza (Unit 2), Rory Sharp (Unit 1).