CUPE FAQ: Aren’t York TAs paid $65 an hour?

CUPE members respond to the questions surrounding the pay of teaching assistants at York University.

CUPE FAQ: Why hasn’t CUPE 3903 accepted binding arbitration with York?

A number of members discuss the reasons why CUPE 3903 has not accepted the university’s proposal of binding arbitration. Some of these reasons are that binding arbitration; is disadvantageous to a union that is a leader within its sector, is not in the interests of collective bargaining, and places CUPE 3903 in a position of powerlessness within its negotiations with York University.

CUPE FAQ: Job Security for Unit II

Several members discuss the issue of job security for Unit 2. One in particular states: “York University is one of the largest employers of teachers in the city, yet many of us work in precarious employment situations. We just want job security so that we know that we have work next year. A lot of our members have to reapply every year and they don’t know if they will be able to pay the rent in September”

CUPE FAQ: Why are CUPE members asking for higher wages?

Members of CUPE 3903 answer the question: “If CUPE members are some of the best paid TAs and GAs in the country, why do you need higher wages?” Some of the answers given include: our work far exceeds the 10 hours a week that we are paid for, we are called part time workers but we are full time students in need of funds to support us, and we pay for tuition even in the summer months when we are not taking classes.