FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From:   3903 Chair Joe Kispal-Kovacs at (416) 877-2103
        Media Representative Michelle Lowry at(416) 877-2109
Sent:   23 October, 2000 
Posted: 03 November

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 3903 at York University may
be on strike, Thursday, October 26, 2000.

CUPE 3903 will be shutting down both York University campuses.  We will be
picketing all 7 of the entrances to York at the Keele Campus, and both of
the entrances at Glendon.

If you would like to send a letter of support for 3903 please send
it to the following addresses:

Lorna Marsden, President
S949 Ross
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
Fax : 736-5641
Phone: 736-5200
email: presidnt@yorku.ca

BOG Chair Marshall Cohen
Office of the University Secretariat
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
Fax: 736-5796
Phone: 736-5012

Who are we?
CUPE 3903 is made up of three bargaining units:

Unit 1 - Teaching Assistants are full-time graduate
students at York.   Their duties include teaching
undergraduates in tutorials and working as tutors.
Approx. 1170 members.

Unit 2 - Contract Faculty are non-tenured professors
at York.   Their duties include directing courses,
teaching lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Approx. 700 members.

Unit 3 - Graduate Assistants are full-time graduate
students at York.  Their duties include conducting
research for faculty, assisting faculty with course
preparations, and working in important research
centres on campus.  Approx. 380 members.

Our members do over 40% of the teaching at York University.  Our work is
vital for the effective functioning of the University.

Bargaining at York
Our Collective Agreement expired on August 31, 2000.  All summer long CUPE
has wanted to bargain with the employer.  However, the employer failed to
meet with us through most of this summer. After asking for meetings with
the administration and getting no action, CUPE 3903 held a demonstration
in the office of York President Lorna Marsden.  As a result, the
administration finally began meeting with us again in late September.
however, their offer to date includes concessions for our members.  We are
however, willing to keep bargaining for a fair and respectful contract.
 

   For more information contact: 
  http://toronto.tao.ca