Strike Halts Classes At York University

It's not for the summer, but school is out for more than 50,000 students at York University Thursday after part-time instructors went on strike at midnight.

It was just before day's end that 3,400 contract faculty and teaching assistants voted against the school's latest contract offer.

The group - which accounts for 50 per cent of the school's teaching time - met Wednesday afternoon to weigh the central issues, which also include improved job security and increased wages. No agreement could be reached, a vote to strike was carried and the student body of one of Ontario's largest post-secondary institutions was left with no place to learn.

"It's kind of inconvenient," admits one student. "I mean all of our classes are getting pushed back which means we'll have to reschedule our time and work and everything. It's holding the students hostage."

"It's annoying," seconded a student named Atia. "We paid to be here ... I understand they want more money, but still..."

And it's a situation that could linger for months. The last time CUPE 3903 went on strike was in 2001 and it lasted 11 weeks, the longest ever at a Canadian university. But even if this one goes longer, some York students appreciate what's at stake.

"They (Teacher's Assistants) make $14,000 a year and that's what they have to pay their tuition fees with and their rent and their transportation, and take care of their families and take care of themselves," argued Gilary Massa, V.P. of York Federation of Students.

The union rejected the University's first offer and the school also offered them a 9.25 per cent salary hike over three years, but the collective is holding out for more. They say that math only works out to 3 per cent annually over the three year period - and that's not enough.

"The employer presented us with a package that had little new to offer except wage increases that would be set at 3% for 2008-2009, 3.25% for 2009-2010, and 3% for 2010-2011," reads a statement on the union's website .

"While the York Administration continues to claim that this offer is "fair" and is supposedly intended to avert a strike, the total wages and benefits over [the] three year deal equals only a 2.5% growth of our contract. This total package falls short of the sector average for 2008, and is well below the approximate 4.25% growth we gained with the 2005 collective agreement."

CUPE 3903 Chair Christina Rousseau stood on the picket line in front of the school's gates as the sun rose Thursday morning, insisting the strike was not only justified, but unavoidable.

"We're looking at having our wages tied to the cost of living so that inflation will not affect our wages," she said.

"Our expectations are realistic because we would be prepared to negotiate on wages if the administration was willing to meet us on our other demands, which so far they have not been willing to do."

But the school tells a different story. York University spokesman Alex Bilyk says the school believes its offer is fair and is committed to resolving the strike as soon as possible. He's not big on budging, however.

"In today's times, with the global economy being what it is (there are) people demanding outrageous (wage) increases," he said.

Union Negotiator Graham Potts wasn't backing down either.

"They're now in for a fight that we are prepared to win," he vowed.  "This is for long and short-term education."

Long-term picketing may or may not change that, but the striking educators wasted no time trying to find out. Vehicles were being let through onto the university's campus slowly Thursday morning, with stoppages planned two minutes at a time.

This is also bad news for the thousands of students living on campus, who will now face difficulty coming and going from the area with any regularity.

TTC buses were also rerouting around the campus early Thursday to avoid crossing picket lines, so expect some detours if you're riding The Rocket around the university. GO Transit was also experiencing some delays near the barricades. Check the latest service updates .

In the meantime, a select few classes are in session. Schulich -based graduate including MBA, IMBA, MPA and doctoral courses will continue to meet, as scheduled. It'll also be learning as usual for those in degree credit activities provided by Osgoode Hall Law School at its downtown campus and anyone in the Masters of Human Resources Management Program.

For more on the York University disruption, check the school's special site .