TIMELINE: A look back at university strikes in Ontario
Posted March 3, 2015 2:14 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
More than 100,000 university students across Toronto and the GTA are being affected by two strikes at Canada’s largest universities.
Here’s a look back at the most recent university strikes.
York University
March 3, 2015 – ongoing
All classes, exams and academic activities have been suspended after the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903 voted Monday night to overturn the deal. Almost 4,000 teaching assistants and contract teachers are on strike.The university is striking over wage hikes and job security, forcing over 40,000 students out of the classroom. York libraries, labs, cafeterias and athletic centres are still open.
University of Toronto
February 27, 2015 – ongoing
CUPE 3902, including approximately 6,000 teaching assistants, voted to reject a bargaining deal sending them to the picket line at all three campuses (St. George, University of Toronto Mississauga and University of Toronto Scarborough). CUPE has raised concern that TAs are living below the poverty line. Tutorials and labs are cancelled and more strike-related interruptions may occur. Professors are expected to continue teaching classes without teaching assistants.
York University
November 6, 2008 – January 29, 2009
Members of the CUPE 3903 walked off the job on November 6, 2008. Graduate students working as teaching assistants, research and administrative assistants, and contract faculty were disputing over job security and wages. CUPE 3903 was seeking a wage increase, stronger health benefits and more job security for long-term contract faculty.
The strike resulted in cancelled classes at the university for three months and became the longest ever strike at an English-speaking university in Canada. Final exams were postponed into the summer months and Bill 145 forced 3,340 workers back to the university.
University of Windsor
September 17, 2008 – October 4, 2008
More than 1,000 professors and librarians voted for a new three-year agreement and resulted in an 18-day long cancellation of classes. A three per cent wage increase over each year and an increase in rank pay were part of the reached agreement. Sessional instructors also saw a raise that allowed 16,000 students back into the classrooms.
