The YUSA Unit 2 Collective Agreement is a written contract that regulates the terms and conditions of part-time and interim staff working at York University. The latest agreement expired on February 22nd, 2022 and is currently being renegotiated through collective bargaining.
The Union believes in a fair and equitable outcome for all YUSA 2 members that reflects your needs in a volatile and increasingly unequal economy and is therefore fighting to make both monetary and non-monetary improvements to the Collective Agreement. The YUSA 2 bargaining committee has proposed:
- New wage increases for all Unit 2 members of 5% per year for 3 years, for a total of a 15% wage increase over the three years
- New paid sick leave days
- New health and dental benefits coverage
- An improved Job Evaluation Tool that would ensure you are being paid properly for the work that you do
- Improved reporting to the union office regarding your pay and hiring to ensure hiring is being conducted fairly
YUSA 2 members are some of the lowest paid workers on campus, with the lowest pay band starting at minimum wage. Unlike most other employees at York, YUSA 2 workers have no entitlement to any benefits package whatsoever, and have no rights to vacation, sick, or personal leave days.
In 2022 alone, York University had a budget of $1.2 billion and generated a surplus profit of $30 million. We estimate that the cost to provide the above benefits to the entirety of Unit 2 would be roughly the same as the cost of the salary of a single director level management position ($150,000), or approximately a paltry 0.0125% of the Employer’s annual budget.
Thus far, the Employer has shown a shameless lack of empathy for YUSA 2 workers like yourself and they are not in agreement with any of the above proposals. It is clear to the bargaining committee that York University perceives YUSA 2 members as second-class citizens who do not deserve basic entitlements that would improve their livelihood and enable them to care for their personal health and well-being.
We will continue to fight for a fair deal that benefits you and your colleagues. Accordingly, a Conciliator from the Ministry of Labour has been appointed to the bargaining table in order to facilitate communication between both parties and bring negotiations to a close. Updates on the process are being distributed via email and your attention and participation is essential to building leverage that we can utilize to reach a successful outcome.