50,000 York students hoping to finally get back to class may have to wait a bit longer.
According to a published report, the union representing 3,340 striking York University workers will not even vote on a new offer put forth by the administration, saying it's not much better than the previous ones.
The three-year offer, made public Wednesday, outlines 0.7 per cent more in benefits such as child care and professional development and offers more job security than earlier deals. But the wage hike remains the same at 9.25 per cent.
The university argues it would create 22 new full-time faculty positions, and boost funding for graduate teaching assistants by 5 per cent.
But a representative for CUPE 3093, speaking for teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants, claims the administration hasn't addressed the union's request for a five-year teaching contract for its faculty, increased funding for graduate students and more bargaining clout.
Students worried about losing the school year are becoming increasingly frustrated over the lack of progress since workers walked off the job
back in November.
"It looks like York has made a serious and comprehensive offer aimed at ending the strike.The union has an obligation to take this offer seriously and give it consideration. It would be wrong for the union to turn down this offer just because they think they can get more," noted Lyndon Koopmans, founder of the grassroots student website
yorknothostage.com.
The two sides were set to resume talks with a mediator Friday.
York University Students Demand Government Intervention In Strike