Tentative deal reached between York University and education workers, union says

York University and the union representing more than 3,000 education workers at the school say a tentative deal has been reached to end a seven-week long strike.

 

CUPE 3903 announced early Monday there was “a potential deal in sight” after a tentative agreement was reached with York administration late Sunday. Union officials said details won’t be released until ratification.

 

Teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants have been on the picket line since Feb. 26, pushing York University for better wages, job security and equity in the workplace. The move suspended classes for thousands of students just weeks before the end of the winter term and final exams.

 

Many have held off on making summer plans or securing a job out of fear the strike may extend the academic year. International students postponed booking their flights home, and those wrapping up their degrees expressed concern they won’t graduate on time.

First-year commerce student Sean Day, who spent most of their high school years dealing with disruptions of the pandemic, had two of his four classes suspended.

 

“It’s annoying, and it’s also confusing,” he told the Star last week. “I just want to get the credits and move on to next year.”

 

In response to students’ concerns, York University has made more emergency bursaries available to cover non-tuition related costs, including additional living expenses, travel and childcare, and expanded options for course completion so students can stay on track for graduation or summer plans.

 

The university also created a tuition credit for undergraduate students who’ve withdrawn or will withdraw from their courses between Feb. 26 and the end of the remediation period. The credit can be used for course enrolments in either the summer or next school year.

 

 

 

This article was first reported by The Star