York University Could Be Shut Down By Strike Thursday

Oh well, a strike at York is like snow in Buffalo -- it happens a lot.

At least 3,400 employees - including grad students, teaching assistants and contract workers - are set to walk off the job as of 12:01am Thursday morning. The workers, members of CUPE Local 3903, met on Wednesday afternoon, trying to decide if a strike will take place in the morning. There's not much being said publicly but a union spokesperson tells CityNews she believes a strike is "very likely" barring any last minute changes. Signs of pre-planned picket lines are already in evidence on the sprawling campus - including the presence of porta-potties to keep those on the lines close to their appointed picket posts. There will also be a rally at the scene if job action begins. The dispute centres around wages, job security and benefits, and the union rejected the University's first offer. The school also offered them a 9.25 per cent salary hike over three years, but the collective is holding out for more. They say that math only works out to 3 per cent annually over the three year period - and that's not enough. "The employer presented us with a package that had little new to offer except wage increases that would be set at 3% for 2008-2009, 3.25% for 2009-2010, and 3% for 2010-2011," reads a statement on the union's website.
James Morton
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