Date:

November 6, 2009

To:

Professional and Managerial Staff; Confidential Staff

From:

Angela Hildyard, Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity

Re:

Collective Bargaining Update – CUPE Local 3902 Unit 3 (Sessional Instructors)

* Please circulate this message to all staff within your department*

You are likely aware by now that the University and the Union that represents Sessional Lecturers, Writing Instructors and Sessional Instructional Assistants (CUPE 3902, Unit 3) have been meeting since July to negotiate a renewal of the collective agreement. Our goal, of course, is to reach an agreement that is acceptable both to the University and to the members of the Union and to do so in a manner that does not impact negatively upon our students or upon our academic programs.

Although we have reached agreement on a number of important issues, several matters remain outstanding and we are actively engaged with the Union in an attempt to resolve our differences. The Union has indicated that they could commence a legal strike as early as Monday. The University’s negotiating team is committed to bargain all weekend and will make every reasonable effort to reach a successful outcome.

If a strike by CUPE 3902 Unit 3 does occur, the University will remain open. All members of the teaching staff who are not represented by CUPE 3902 Unit 3 are expected to engage in their regular activities and all staff are expected to report for work as usual. The University places a very high priority on maintaining the integrity of our academic programs and minimizing any negative impact upon our students.

At this point negotiations are continuing and the University is hopeful that a settlement will be reached. We will provide regular updates on the progress of negotiations at http://www.utoronto.ca/. Information will also be available via the University’s information hotline at 416-978-7669.