CUPE Local 3903 has a Tentative Settlement

A last minute settlement has been achieved.

CUPE Local 3903 statement:

We are pleased to announce that the CUPE 3903 has reached a tentative agreement with York University and a strike has been averted.

As such, the executive committee and bargaining team recommend ratification of this agreement that will take place on November 8 and 9.

The tentative agreement represents a major victory for the union. Since Tuesday night, when CUPE members rejected the administration's latest offer, the union was able to win important progress towards addressing some serious problems our members face. These important gains in addition to those contained in the October 31st offer are:

• Graduate Assistants now have tuition indexation! This is a groundbreaking gain. Our Graduate Assistants are the first in the country to win this.
  
• Teaching Assistants won stronger language for the Minimum Guarantee that really will guarantee funding in the summer! In addition, the summer funding was increased to $4490 (year 1), $4625 (year 2), $4764 (year 3). Members with scholarships will be protected in this upcoming transition year of the funding cycle which was a major concern raised in the November 1st GMM.
  
• We won $175,000 per year of funding for additional health care services (such as physiotherapy, orthodontics, and so on) that are not covered by OHIP.
  
• Graduate Assistants won an additional increase to their bursary funds: $12,000 (year 1 and 2), $ 15,000 (year 3).
  
• Members who serve on the executive and bargaining team are now guaranteed an academic extension with funding for a year! This protects many of our dedicated union activists from suffering academic penalties because of their union work.
  

(NOTE: the above list is not an official representation of our gains, only a hastily writen update based on a telephone conversation with executive members. An official communique will be sent out as soon as possible.)

as quoted from their site

York University's statement:

Tentative settlements reached - university operating normally

TORONTO, November 3, 2005 -- The parties have reached tentative settlements for new 3-year collective agreements for CUPE 3903 Units 1,2 & 3. The parties have agreed to submit these for ratification.

as quoted from their site
This was primarily for students to know if classes would continue.