On Wednesday Sept 25th York University workers and students unions will rally and march to reclaim the York University campus. Members of CUPE 3903, CUPE 1356, the York Federation of Students, the York University Graduate Students Association, the York University Staff Association, the Osgoode Hall Faculty Association and the York University Faculty Association will meet at the William Small Centre (155 Campus Walk) at York at 11:45 and march to the Kaneff Tower (next to York Lanes, across from the York Commons) to hear speakers from each organization.
York University’s senior administration has funneled money into managerial bloat, private security, and expensive union busting law firms rather than supporting its students and workers. These are just some of the ways this administration has repeatedly demonstrated its disinterest in creating a vibrant space for learning and working. Instead, in March of this year, a CUPE 3903 picket captain was arrested at a three-decade old picket line on Sentinel Road. In June, York administration summoned police to the campus in a huge show of force and intimidation against students peacefully exercising their rights of political speech and protest. Research and teaching have been defunded, while expensive consultants are hired to ‘restructure’ the university. The University’s own published data indicates a ratio of more than one manager to every two full-time faculty members.
On Wednesday, York students and workers will demand a well-run institution centered on achieving York’s central mission: “the pursuit, preservation and dissemination of knowledge” via commitment to “academic freedom, social justice, accessible education, and collegial self-governance”.
CONTACTS:
· Sonny Day, York University Staff Association (YUSA), 416-736-5109, media@yusapuy.ca
· Zoe Newman CUPE 3903, 416-997-7880
· Ellie Perkins, York University Faculty Association (YUFA), 647-938-2367, pesperk@gmail.com
