University of Toronto and Union Reach A Tentative Deal

Representatives from CUPE 3902 and the University of Toronto reached a tentative settlement after two weeks of negotiations. Members of CUPE 3902 representing sessionals, TAs, and other contract staff will meet today to decide whether to ratify the tentative settlement or reject it and push the bargaining team back to the table.

The threat of a strike at U of T was never as great as it was at York, as the union and university officials have a better (some might say a working) relationship. The agreement comes as the much-talked about strike up at York University officially comes to an end, with 45,000 students heading back to classrooms today.

I think it's a great move for both the union and the university. I say this because I believe that the residents of Toronto don't want to watch another one of their institutions brought down by a strike.

In the midst of a global economic downturn that's likely to bring a number of businesses to their knees, residents simply aren't in the mood to suffer through another labor dispute - even if they agree with the strikers on the picket line. It's time like these that, as a city, we should be doing everything we can to avoid major disruptions. The economic climate is already hard enough, let's try to ease the burden on students, TAs and sessional workers.

I, for one, hope the members of 3902 ratify the settlement.