Posted: 20 Nov 08

YUFA Special General Meeting 2008
Draft Minutes
Minutes prepared by Jay Rahn
Meeting chaired by Arthur Hilliker

Date: 19 November 2008 12:00 p.m.
Location: York Woods Library, 1785 Finch Avenue West, Room 2/3

Purpose: Information sharing, members' concerns, and members' opinions concerning YUFA-related issues of the ongoing CUPE 3903 strike.

Motion: That the Ad Hoc CUPE 3903 Support and Communication Committee be open to all YUFA members and a volunteer list for this Committee be made available at the end of this meeting. Moved by: Deborah Barndt; seconded by: Ester Reiter. Carried.

Motion: That the Ad Hoc CUPE 3903 Support and Communication Committee be mandated to release daily information bulletins on issues related to contract negotiations, outstanding CUPE 3903 issues, relevant research on the casualization of labour, costing of CUPE 3903 demands (e.g., childcare benefits ~$150,000), current contract settlements at other universities (e.g., McMaster just settled for 10% in the first year and 5% in the second year), highlighting successful conversions, profiling long-term contract teachers, and highlighting our very accomplished graduate students with a view to continuing to attract high-quality graduate students despite the appearance that their contribution and work may be undervalued. Moved by: Jody Berland; seconded by: David McNally. Carried.

Motion: That the Ad Hoc CUPE 3903 Support and Communication Committee hold a press conference next week to support a fair and equitable settlement of the CUPE 3903 strike, including YUFA’s enthusiastic support of CUPE 3903’s opposition to the casualization of labour, including women workers, and addressing the Employer’s insistence on binding arbitration. Moved by: Patricia McDermott; seconded by Jay Rahn. Carried.

Motion: That YUFA Executive coordinate pressure on the Employer through Senate to settle fairly and quickly. Moved by: John Bell; seconded by: Richard Wellen. Carried.

Resolution: Be it resolved that YUFA communicate officially to the Employer and to YUFA members about YUFA’s preparedness and willingness to participate in tripartite discussions about Special Renewable Contract and CUPE 3903 Conversion programs, this information to be copied to YUFA-M so that membership can also write to the Employer to support tripartite discussions. Moved by: Geoffrey Reaume; seconded by: Ildiko Kovacs. Carried.

Resolution: Be it resolved that YUFA re-affirm and advocate its commitment to fair and transparent processes and to the application of affirmative action for all positions at the University throughout all hiring and conversion practices. Moved by: Andil Gosine; seconded by: Eve Haque. Carried.

Resolution: Be it resolved that YUFA deplore the increasing percentage of the University’s budget being spent on non-academic items and the decreasing percentage being spent on academic items. Moved by: Arthur Hilliker; seconded by: Bettina Bradbury. Carried.

Resolution: Be it resolved that YUFA deplore the practice of awarding relatively large performance bonuses and salary increases to senior administrators and managers in comparison with its current offer to CUPE 3903. Moved by: Nuri Jaizari; seconded by: Linda Briskin. Carried.

Motion: That YUFA Executive make further contributions to the CUPE 3903 Hardship Fund on a weekly basis. Moved by: Jan Kainer; seconded by: Malcom Blincow. Carried.