The York administration issued this statement yesterday afternoon. As a result of today’s strike by food service workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 75, the following Aramark food service locations will be closed:
- Bergeron Centre: Bergeron Market
- Central Square: Central Square Market, Pizza Pizza, Tim Hortons
- Centre for Film & Theatre: Starbucks
- Curtis Lecture Halls: Booster Juice, POD Express
- Ignat Kaneff Building/Osgoode Hall: Osgoode Bistro
- Lassonde Building: Freshii
- Stong College: Stong Cafeteria
- William Small Centre: Tim Hortons
- Winters College: Winters Cafeteria
Despite these closures, the solidarity picket at Central Square will proceed as planned, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and continuing later in the day at the Main Gate (York Boulevard and Keele Street). We encourage members who have time to visit the picket line to show your support.
We would also like to remind members of the Senate policy that guarantees the right of York students to refuse to cross a picket line. Article 2.2.1 of the Senate Policy on Academic Implications of Disruptions or Cessationsof University Business Due to Labour Disputes or Other Causes states:
Students who do not participate in academic activities because
a) they are unable to do so owing to a Disruption, or
b) they choose not to participate in academic activities owing to a strike or lock-out on campus are entitled to immunity from penalty, to reasonable alternative access to materials covered in their absence, to reasonable extensions of deadlines and to such other remedy as Senate deems necessary and consistent with the principle of academic integrity.
Therefore, if any students encounter and refuse to cross a picket line during today’s strike, they should be accommodated accordingly.
YUFA is not on strike, and YUFA cannot legally advise members to cease carrying out their professional responsibilities. We also cannot guarantee that the Employer will not threaten you with discipline if you do not teach your class at its scheduled time and place. However, members’ existing rights, including the right to academic freedom, are still in place.
Nevertheless, faculty are free to demonstrate their solidarity on their own time. Such expressions are protected by Article 10 of the Collective Agreement.
For more information, email [email protected].