CUPE 3903 has bargained for Unit 3 members (GAs and RAs) since they joined the union in 2000. The overriding principle has been to win wages and benefits that are comparable to the Unit 1 (grad students employed in teaching) collective agreement. While we are far from there yet, since 2000 we have won improved wages (from a starting point that was often less than $4000 for 270 hours of work to $9526--although York has clawed this back for many GAs by reducing hours), access to many funds and leaves, tuition protection, and inclusion in our benefits plan. A major issue we haven't been able to improve is summer funding. Currently, Unit 3 members receive only $850 in summer funding while Unit 1 members receive $5000. This means that Unit 3 members can barely pay 1 month’s rent let alone live through the summer.
The CUPE 3903 Bargaining Team and executive want to solve this problem at the bargaining table, but so far the employer has not shown any interest in this proposal. We need your help. If you support this proposal, sign here, and we will make sure the employer gets the message.
We, the undersigned, strongly believe that members of Unit 3 deserve the same summer support as those in Unit 1.
