[opirgyork] Strike Solidarity Statement + ASAY 13th Annual Pow Wow Still On + Conflict Resolution Training Postponed

[OPIRG York]

Hey Folks!

For the duration of the CUPE 3903 strike, OPIRG York board and staff will
continue to fill our mandate, continue to do work in the community, and
continue to work on social and environmental justice issues, but will not
be crossing picket lines. Please see our solidarity statement below. And
also a note about the postponement of our conflict resolution training.

-OPIRG York
********

*OPIRG York Strike Solidarity Statement with CUPE 3903 & 3902*

*March 3rd, 2015.*
*(View online + please share here: bit.ly/3903support
<http://bit.ly/3903support>)*

The staff and board at OPIRG York extend our solidarity and support for
CUPE 3903 and CUPE 3902 who are on strike for accessible education for all,
a fair and equitable work place, and increased job security. The university
administration has failed to bargain in good faith, and has forced the
unions to strike for these demands. It is the Administration who we must
direct our attention towards and ask that they return to bargaining in good
faith, and demand that they put accessible education first.

Currently many members of 3903 (many of whom are also students) live on
wages below the poverty line, are asked to reapply for their jobs year
after year, and are given class sizes that exceed an ideal learning space
for students. The fight for decent wages, job security and a cap on class
sizes is a fight for students to have a better learning environment. It is
not just a CUPE 3903 fight; it is one that we all should demand from York’s
administration, and is a fight for decent worker’s rights.

For example York has outright refused to add LGBTQ to their equity policy,
which is something 3903 has demanded. The members of 3903 & 3902 deserve
our support. We stand in solidarity with CUPE and it’s membership and
encourages students, community members, faculty and staff to join 3903 and
3902 on the picket line in their demands for accessible education for all.

For the duration of the strike, OPIRG York board and staff will continue to
fill our mandate, and continue to do work in the community, and continue to
work on social and environmental justice issues, but will not be crossing
picket lines.

*To read more about CUPE’s demands and ways to support:*
http://betteryork.ca/

*More information and to contact OPIRG York:*
http://opirgyork.ca
opirgyork at gmail.com, opirgyorkboard at gmail.com.


*********************

* Official Announcement from the Aboriginal Students Association at York
Re. 13th Annual Pow Wow*

We at ASAY support the faculty and Contract Instructor's and Teacher's
Assistant’s strike; however, it comes at a critical time - Pow Wow time -
which could reduce numbers and attendees to some of our events. We are
meeting with CUPE to work out the details, stay tuned. No matter, THE SHOW
WILL GO ON. That aside, we stand with CUPE and understand their position.
Contract Instructors and TAs do need to eat and pay bills, we understand
that, and they can't do it on the ridiculous wages they get; the university
needs to pay them what they are worth and stop treating them like academic
general laborers or peons. And if the university needs to find money to do
so, dip into the higher pay salaries of upper echelon university exec's and
bureaucrats – a couple thousand out of a few $100 000 salaries won’t hurt
anyone. It's a matter of priority and good business practice: YorkU pay
your Contract Lecturer and TA employees fairly, give them job security, and
treat them like the educated, vital teachers they are.

*********************

*TRAINING POSTPONED! Conflict Resolution Training*

In solidarity with #CUPE3903, this workshop will be postponed to a later
date. Details to be posted as soon as a new location/time is found. You can
still register at the link below if you wish- to get personal emails about
the new time/location. Please contact Victoria, victoria.opirg at gmail.com,
for more information about the workshop.

*PLEASE REGISTER HERE:*
http://bit.ly/1BggAkB
*York students can choose the "I am a member of a sponsoring organization"
option!

Time: TBD
Location: TBD
*Snacks to be provided. For any access needs, please email
victoria.opirg at gmail.com.

*Trainer: Brook Thorndycraft *

Trainer: Brook Thorndycraft has taught Interpersonal Communication and
Restorative Justice at George Brown College, and has been involved in
resolving conflicts in a number of community, personal, and work settings.
She sees conflict as an important part of communication, and enjoys
figuring out how to make it constructive, rather than destructive.

Please contact Victoria, victoria.opirg at gmail.com, for more information
about the workshop.

-- 

-OPIRG York
--
www.opirgyork.ca
416-736-5724
opirg at yorku.ca



*There are many ways to get involved at OPIRG. Apply to be a working
group: **http://opirgyork.ca/working-groups
<http://opirgyork.ca/working-groups>*
Contact victoria at opirgyork.ca for further information.

*We also have two collectives: *PrOPIRGanda Radio and the Radical Reading
Room. You can contact us about ways to get involved in these collectives:
opirgyork at gmail.com.

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