The union representing the University of Toronto’s teaching assistants, who have been without a contract for about five months, is set to hold a strike vote in two weeks.
But a university administrator cautions students against thinking exams will be cancelled, calling such speculation “premature.”
“The University is committed to reaching a responsible and responsive negotiated agreement with CUPE 3902 Unit 1 (Teaching Assistants). We have reached agreement on a significant number of issues, and are continuing to meet on a regular basis in an effort to resolve the outstanding matters,” said Angela Hildyard, vice-president of human resources and equity, adding that both sides are still at the table with a number of meetings scheduled in the coming weeks.
Anil Varughese, chief spokesperson for the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 bargaining committee, is also hopeful members will be spared having to hoist placards in cold weather.
“Right now what we have asked for is a strike vote, not a strike. I think that the difference needs to be emphasized. We have used a strike vote at least ten times in the last 30 years, and only ended up striking three times, so mostly it is a mechanism to generate additional pressure,” Varughese said.
“We don’t like strikes. We wouldn’t like to create a disruption on campus but if the employer leaves us no choice our members are willing to do what it takes to get a fair contract.”
Although both sides have agreed on some issues, the main stumbling blocks are monetary: wages, benefits, and the continued reduction of hours included in their funding package.
A guaranteed funding package has been in place since 2001 for all doctoral students, including $12,000 plus tuition fees. For humanities and social science students, that works out to $18,000. A chunk of the cash is remuneration for an agreed number of TA hours worked, Varughese explained.
Currently the hours stand at 210, but the union wants that number to go down to 140 hours over the next three years.
“Over the last four years since the funding package was introduced, the value of that package has gone down to $11,100 if you take into account the cost of living. If our members want to see any increase in their take-home wages they have to get a reduction in hours,” Varughese said.
The union also wants extended benefits for dependants and is asking for a health care spending account.
Another sticking point is protection from tuition fee increases and the need, the union argues, for a tuition cost fund.
The union also wants a shorter contract, but the university is stipulating at least a 3-year contract as non-negotiable. The most recent contract was almost 4 years.
The strike vote begins on Nov. 30 following a membership meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at Emmanuel College, room 319. Polling will continue until Dec. 6 at a number of locations across campus. Ballots will be counted on Dec. 7.
