Search
Close this search box.

UHIP Grievance: Explained!

Want to know more about how the employer is unilaterally preventing dependents of international students from accessing healthcare funds? Curious what CUPE 3903 is doing to resist this? Check out this graphic explainer to know all the key details!

A grievance has been filed to address the employer’s move this summer to unilaterally stop allowing money from the GA Bursary Fund (which has a surplus) to be used to cover dependents for UHIP. This means that members have to pay out of pocket for their families’ healthcare, even though this money already exists. The union was told in June 2024 that the employer had already decided on its own in April 2024 not to pay retroactively for the entire 2023-2024 year.

The unilateral changes to UHIP funding by York are unfair and impact some of our most vulnerable members, especially at a time when international students and workers are already subject to growing attacks and instability! Get the facts below.

A green gradient graphic with the CUPE 3903 logo and images of an anger symbol and a broken dollar bill. The graphic’s text reads: UHIP Grievance: Explained! How York U is preventing dependents of international students from accessing healthcare funds.
A green gradient graphic with the CUPE 3903 logo and images of the Earth and a healthcare crosses. The graphic’s text reads: What is UHIP? UHIP is the health plan for international students and their dependents living in Canada. If you're an international student, you have to have UHIP, but it’s expensive! That’s why CUPE 3903 has bargained and won a UHIP Fund to cover those fees. For at least 10 years, those funds also covered the cost for dependents.
A green gradient graphic with the CUPE 3903 logo and an image of a broken heart with a bandage. The graphic’s text reads: What changed? Historically, if there wasn’t enough money in the UHIP Fund to cover dependents, York would ask CUPE 3903 permission to move money from the GA Bursary Fund (which has a surplus) to cover them. In June 2024, FGS unilaterally said they wouldn’t do this anymore, and members would have to pay out of pocket for their families’ health care costs, even though the money exists and is available.
A green gradient graphic with the CUPE 3903 logo and an image of an exclamation mark. The graphic’s text reads: What is CUPE 3903 doing about this? Over the summer, CUPE 3903 exec tried to raise this issue with York several times, without success. The union then allocated some of its own funds to help cover members’ dependent fees, just over $12,000 (very little compared to York U’s budget). On August 22nd, the union filed a grievance against this unfair unilateral change.
A green gradient graphic with the CUPE 3903 logo and an image of a megaphone. The graphic’s text reads: What’s the big picture? What York is doing to UHIP funding is not okay! It’s not transparent, and most of all, it impacts those who often have the hardest time accessing health care already. International students and workers have already been subject to growing attacks and instability. This move by York places a burden on some of our most vulnerable members.

Nominations Are Open for Unit 3 BT Representatives! Nominations were opened at today’s General Membership Meeting for three vacancies of Unit 3 Representatives on the...

The nominations period for the CUPE 3903 2026 Executive Committee election was opened at today’s General Membership Meeting! All members, especially Black, First Nations, and racialized members,...

Bargaining Team Acclamations Congratulations to the newly acclaimed members of the Units 1, 2, & 3 Bargaining Team (BT)! The acclaimed BT members are Alex...

CUPE 3903’s team on the joint Labour-Management Committee (Units 1–3) has recently renegotiated the terms of the Unit 1 Books/Supplies Fund. Formerly managed by Faculty...

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the adjudication of the Fall 2025 Professional Development Fund (PDF) applications (submitted by the deadline of January 10) will be delayed. The...

Bargaining will be heating up soon! CUPE 3903’s bargaining with York has several stages that are important to keep your eye on as a member:...

The Bargaining Team (BT) held a meeting on Friday, January 30, 2026, with current BT members, other members (including various executives), and CUPE 3903 staff in attendance. ...

What’s Bargaining Anyway? CUPE 3903 is a labour union that is powered by members like you. One of the most important ways that we, as...

The two webpages about Sun Life health benefits are now available in French, courtesy of the Communications Committee’s Bilingualism Representative! Cherchez-vous des renseignements au sujet...

Skip to content