YUFA
Grievances
York University's French Logo
15 Mar 04 - YUFA received several complaints after York University, with little consultation, adopted a new logo in 2002. The complaints related to the new logo's lack of attention to French grammar. Unlike the old logo, which had the French word "UNIVERSITÉ" above the word "YORK", the new logo puts it below, which doesn't make sense grammatically. Since York is a bilingual university, some members felt this to be particularly offensive, even discriminatory.
YUFA raised this issue formally with the Employer at both the Joint Committee on the Administration of the Agreement (JCOAA), and in pre-grievance proceedings We were told that a Quebec-based consultant had approved the new logo, and that it is meant to be "read" as a graphic design instead of literally. The Administration declined to make any changes to the logo, or to permit faculty members who correspond in French to produce and use a variant of the old logo for their correspondence.
YUFA staff and officers then consulted more widely with members at Glendon College and on the Keele campus. Members felt that other issues such as workload, faculty complement, and health and safety were more crucial priorities for the union. We have therefore decided not to launch a formal grievance at this time. If the new logo impinges on your ability to fulfill your professional responsibilities, please contact your unit steward or one of the Chief Stewards.