Thursday, February 29th, 2024
The Arts and Science Students’ Union stands in solidarity with the education workers of CUPE 3902, library workers of CUPE 1230, and service workers of CUPE 3261 and their unified demands for respect, dignity, and a living wage. Together, these three locals represent more than 8,000 workers across the University of Toronto’s three campuses, including teaching assistants, caretakers, course instructors, postdoctoral fellows, cafeteria workers, and grounds workers.
We congratulate CUPE 3902 and the historic Strike Mandate vote results for Unit 1 and Unit 5: among the 4600 members, 94.4% were in favour of authorizing their Local to call a strike if necessary to reach a fair work contract. We also congratulate CUPE 3261 on their strike vote wherein over 90% were in favour of authorizing a strike if strategically necessary. It is our sincere hope that these outcomes convey a resolute message to the University, urging them to earnestly consider and address the demands put forth.
As undergraduate students, we know that the University administration often pits students against workers for exercising their right to strike. We reject the narrative that our education is being compromised or threatened by education and service workers demanding better labour conditions. Rather, we know that the quality of our education is contingent on healthy workers and workplaces. The University of Toronto is a world-class institution, and it enjoys this status because of the labour of thousands of workers whose jobs and livelihoods have become increasingly precarious and who are disproportionately impacted by massive inflation and living costs. Their working conditions are our learning conditions. Their fight for respect, dignity, and a living wage is also a fight to maintain excellence in the provision of education and essential services at U of T.
The ASSU is proud to stand with CUPE members in their fight for improved working conditions. We encourage all arts and science students to show their solidarity as well.
In Solidarity,
The ASSU Executive
