From: Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, Human Resources & Equity
Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President & Provost
Date: March 24, 2021
Re: Important Update on CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Negotiations (PDAD&C #56)

As you may know the University is in collective bargaining with CUPE 3902, Unit 1, the Union representing Teaching Assistants, Teaching Laboratory Assistants, Peer Assistants, Assistant Invigilators, Chief Presiding Officers and Course Instructors on all three campuses.

The bargaining committees met more than 30 times over the past 4 months. Talks are continuing today, and the parties are working toward reaching a tentative agreement. Despite progress at the bargaining table, it is possible that a tentative agreement may not be reached.  Even when a tentative agreement is reached, there is a possibility that it may not be ratified by the employees in the bargaining unit.   The Union has been in a legal strike position since March 21 and has indicated that they will not take any job action before Friday, March 26.

The University is committed to reaching a negotiated renewal collective agreement with the Union. However, we must also be prepared in the event of a strike or other job action.  We are committed to taking appropriate steps so that our students can continue learning and complete the academic requirements of their courses and programs.

If a strike does occur, the University will remain operational with as much on campus activity as permitted under public health restrictions, with the current COVID-19 safety measures. The University will respect the decision of those CUPE 3902 Unit 1 members who choose to strike, as well as those CUPE 3902 Unit 1 members who choose to continue working.

We will circulate materials to divisional Vice-Deans with more information about course and program resiliency, grading practices, and other relevant policies and guidance in the coming days, if necessary. Faculty members’ and librarians’ rights with respect to academic freedom will be fully respected and no actions will be required that are inconsistent with the academic freedom provisions of Article 5 of the Memorandum of Agreement.

The University and the Union continue to make progress and work collaboratively to reach a negotiated collective agreement.

The University will provide regular updates which will be available at https://www.utoronto.ca/negotiations