So as I was driving into Mac today from Sterling, I saw a bunch of people holding up CUPE signs and handing out papers. Well, my parents did first and kind of freaked out thinking that they were striking and saying they'd hope we don't turn out to be like how York was.

Right now, I'm a little nervous, because I have no idea if they were just there, or they are striking/possibly going to strike.

Anyone know what's up?

I saw a group of people handing out papers today with some flags, but couldn't really be bothered to see what was going on. If I knew it was CUPE, I'd have definitely checked it out. Hopefully everything's alright; I don't want to end up like York!

Originally Posted by mgallant

I saw a group of people handing out papers today with some flags, but couldn't really be bothered to see what was going on. If I knew it was CUPE, I'd have definitely checked it out. Hopefully everything's alright; I don't want to end up like York!

There's nothing mentioned that I could see on the CUPE3906 site (www.cupe3906.org) so I wouldn't get worried. Plus their contract is up in August, not now.

I walked passed them this morning and they handed me a paper titled "McMaster Union Stages Info Picket to Protest Back-to-work Legislation at York" so it doesn't look like they're striking, just trying to inform people.

So.. what, they were protesting the Back-to-work legislation at York? Really? Hmm.

Apparently they will be prepared to strike in Fall 2009.

We averted a CUPE strike this summer actually. It might come up again in 2 years, but right now we are not looking at anything immediate.

Check out my article from June. It explains why the Mac's CUPE union was thinking of striking; and technically what can still be a possibility in the future.

I was just worried because I didn't want there be a strike, especially with two months left in the year. Not gonna lie, I'd be super pissed.

I wouldn't be too worried, though I did hear a lot about Mac's union local having to fight with the university for more pay.

I mean, when the university administration can walk away with millions of dollars in bonus packages and they won't even sit down with the union to discuss better pay for their workers? It's crazy. The whole situation at York made people hate unions, but the reality is they're standing up for themselves and their right to a fair wage...

We all have to look at both sides of this situation. Sure, we'll be mad that our schooling is affected, but who should we be getting mad at? The union or the executive board...the unions aren't the ones jacking our tuition up every chance they get...

Oh my goddddd.

I don't know, maybe this is just me. But unless I was making like 28 cents an hour, I wouldn't feel right about striking to get more than my $16,000 a year and wasting 25,000 students' time and money. I honestly don't mean this to be rude - but I could NEVER see myself doing that.

I have one more year of undergrad and one year of Masters.. I hope to god there isn't a strike anytime soon.

Originally Posted by HeatherH

Oh my goddddd.

I don't know, maybe this is just me. But unless I was making like 28 cents an hour, I wouldn't feel right about striking to get more than my $16,000 a year and wasting 25,000 students' time and money. I honestly don't mean this to be rude - but I could NEVER see myself doing that.

I have one more year of undergrad and one year of Masters.. I hope to god there isn't a strike anytime soon.

You realize of course that $16,000 per year is hardly enough for a contract faculty to support him/her self.

Originally Posted by DannyV

You realize of course that $16,000 per year is hardly enough for a contract faculty to support him/her self.

Sorry, I meant TAs, not professors/lecturers.

I know what you mean Heather, I'm a tad worried about the talks of renegotiation on McMaster's contract in August of this year... if Mac's sessionals take a leaf from Yorks books... we're screwed.

I mean, I can understand that they're fighting for better working conditions but...striking like that is NOT the answer. Look at York, their enrollment is down now and if it continues to go down they're not going to need all of the profs that they have. They're certainly not going to let go the associates and tenureds (not that they can in the latter sense) but it's going to be the SESSIONALS who won't have their contracts renewed. They're screwing themselves in the long run. Least, thats the way I see it.

Luckily (or unluckily) our union has 2 bargaining units one for Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants (Unit 1 ) and one for Sessional Lecturers and Music Instructors (Unit 2 ).

Though I would assume if one goes on strike so would the other.