UTEAU statement on “User Guide”

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We, the undersigned members of the University of Toronto Employees’ Associations and Unions (UTEAU) coalition, which collectively represents over 100,000 students, staff, faculty, librarians, and workers across University of Toronto, are united in opposing the “User Guide to U of T Policies on Protests” issued in August 2024 and updated in late October. The User Guide directly undermines the University’s commitments to freedom of speech and academic freedom as articulated in the Statement of Institutional Purpose, the Statement on Freedom of Speech, and other related policies.

Despite its preface on the role of protest in effecting progressive change and of the rights of all UofT community members to freedom of expression, the User Guide in fact introduces a number of new limits on such expression that do not exist in current University policy. These include time restrictions, undefined limits on excessive noise, prohibitions of temporary forms of expression such as chalk and projections, and new requirements for authorization to be present on UofT premises. Of particular concern are the consequences named for being in violation of these new restrictions, including requests for campus security and municipal police service to be called on workers, students, faculty, librarians, and community members. 

In meetings between senior Administration and several of the undersigned organizations, Administrators have falsely claimed that the User Guide in fact introduces nothing new and is merely an assembly of rules from existing policies. If that is the case, the Administration can refer UofT community members directly to those existing policies if it feels such clarification is necessary. However, in creating this User Guide, the Administration has also introduced significant ambiguity in the meaning of the restrictions it names. This ambiguity only underscores our profound concerns over how the User Guide will be interpreted, especially the disciplinary measures it describes. The User Guide thus appears to be a new effort for the University to implement a system of surveillance, policing, and silencing so as to limit organizing efforts on campus. 

We therefore call on the Administration to fully rescind the User Guide, to refrain from introducing any additional policies that infringe on rights to expression and assembly, and to reaffirm its commitments to freedom of association, freedom of expression, and academic freedom for University of Toronto community members at large. 

In solidarity, 

Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS)
CUPE 1230
CUPE 2484
CUPE 3902
CUPE 3261
Scarborough Campus Students Union (SCSU)
USW Local 1998 Executive Committee
University of Toronto Faculty Association Executive Committee
University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union
University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) 
University of Toronto Students’ Union

U of T Press Part Time Retail and Warehouse Bargaining

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Part-Time Bookstore and Warehouse Workers! Your collective agreement has expired! This is YOUR chance to improve your working conditions at the Bookstore and Warehouse.

We need your voice! A strong contract needs strong participation from ALL part-time workers. Together, we can achieve a fair agreement that benefits everyone.

Stay informed and get involved!

Visit 3261.cupe.ca/press for more info, updates, meeting dates, and ways to participate.

Bargaining Committee Election Results (Dec 8, 2024)

Retail (Bookstore):

  • Vera Li
  • Eshika Sehgal

Warehouse:

  • Charity Acierto
  • Bheverly Banaag

Get Involved! Join the Contract Action Team

The Contract Action Team (CAT) plays a vital role in building member engagement and power. CAT members (or “CATs”) help:

  • Share the latest updates from bargaining with members.
  • Serve as the eyes and ears of the workplace, providing feedback to the bargaining committee.
  • Keep coworkers informed and involved in actions that support our bargaining goals.

We need members across all workplaces and shifts who are passionate about winning a fair contract.

Sign up and become a CAT at 3261.cupe.ca/CAT.

If you have any questions or would like to get more involved in negotiations, please do not hesitate to contact your Unit Representative, Chris Stanford at press@cupe3261.ca

Election Results

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Our election for CUPE 3261 president has concluded. As your election officers, we would like to recognize you for a record turnout! A total of 607 members (47.1%) voted in the election.

The election results are as follows:

President

  1. Luke Daccord = 459 (76.1%) WINNER
  2. Chris Tavares =  144 (23.9%)
  3. Abstain = 4 (0.7%)

Congratulations to Luke Daccord!

As a reminder, the following candidates were not contested and have been acclaimed:

Recording Secretary:

  • Hillary Phillips

Health and Safety Officer:

  • Kevin McDermott

Trustee

  • Danny Tavares

All the candidates who have been elected or acclaimed will be taking the oath of office at the October 26 General Membership Meeting (GMM).

The meeting will be from 10AM-12PM and will be hybrid. The in-person location is Sidney Smith Hall, Room 1072. For those attending online, please register here.

Sincerely,

Your CUPE 3261 Elections Committee

 

General Membership Meeting – Oct 26, 2024

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Our next General Membership Meeting will be held in a hybrid format on Saturday, Oct 26th from 10AM-12PM. During the meeting, we will be hearing reports from the President, Chief Steward, Health and Safety Officer, and Treasurer. We will also be accepting nominations for the Faculty Club Unit Representative. All members joining online must register in advance to receive the Zoom link.

We encourage all members to attend, either in person or online. Your participation is valuable!

WHEN:
Saturday, Oct 26, 2024
10 AM - 12 PM

WHERE:
Sidney Smith Hall (100 St George St), Room 1072
OR
Online via Zoom (Hybrid Meeting)

Register here if attending online. A zoom link will be sent to your email once registered.

AGENDA

  1. Roll call of officers
  2. Reading of the Equality Statement
  3. Reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting
  4. Elections Committee Report
  5. Oaths of Office
  6. President’s Report
  7. Nominations for Faculty Club Unit Representative
  8. Treasurer’s Report
  9. Notice of Motion to Establish Strike and Defense Fund
  10. Health and Safety Officer’s Report
  11. Chief Steward’s Report
  12. Adjournment

2024 Election Newsletter

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The election for CUPE 3261 President will open on Friday, October 11th, and remain open until Friday, October 18th. On Friday morning you will receive an email which will include instructions on how to vote securely and anonymously using our third party election provider, Simply Voting.

For the full details on the voting process and to see each candidate’s statement, please see our recently published elections newsletter below.

If you or a colleague cannot vote online, we will have in-person voting stations set up throughout the week. See the newsletter for details. 

Sincerely,

Your CUPE 3261 Elections Committee

Frank DeCandia, Returning Officer
Bonnie Hassan, Election Assistant
Jun Cabrera, Election Assistant
Steve Parker, Election Assistant
Joseph Borland, Election Assistant

Questions? Email elections@cupe3261.ca or call 647-905-6030

Optional In Person Voting Locations

Friday, October 11

  • Location: 89 Chestnut
  • Room: St. Andrew Room
  • Time: 2PM – 4PM

Tuesday, October 15

  • Location: UTM
  • Room: New Science Building SB 3049
  • Time: 7AM – 9AM and 3PM – 5PM

Wednesday, October 16

  • Location: UTSC
  • Room: Humanities Wing HW216C
  • Time: 2PM – 4PM and 9PM – 11PM

Thursday, October 17

  • Location: St. George Campus
  • Room: Union Office (703 Spadina Ave, 2nd Floor)
  • Time: 10AM – 7PM

Friday, October 18

  • Location: U of T Press Warehouse
  • Room: York Board Room
  • Time: 3PM – 5PM

Download (PDF, 472KB)

Kevin McDermott Appointed Health and Safety Officer

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The position of Health and Safety Officer on the union’s executive has been vacant since the departure of Nancy Tomas in June of this year. At our July General Membership Meeting nominations were accepted for the position to be elected in October, and Kevin McDermott and Nicole Ponte accepted nominations. Nicole has since withdrawn her nomination, and in advance of Kevin McDermott being acclaimed to the position at our GMM this October, the union executive has appointed Kevin to fill the position effective immediately.

Kevin McDermott is a FTPT Unit member working in Building Patrol at the Medical Sciences Building on St. George campus. He can be reached by email at healthandsafety@cupe3261.ca or by phone at 647-694-2389.

Stay tuned for more details coming soon about our October executive election!

RSVP for the September BBQ

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🍔 Back-To-Work September BBQ 🌭

Just a friendly reminder about the upcoming Back-To-Work September BBQ! 🎉

This is a joint event hosted by all U of T CUPE locals, including us, so it’s going to be a great chance to connect with colleagues from across the university and kick off the school year right.

If you’re planning to come, please fill out the RSVP form ASAP so we can make sure there’s enough food for everyone and arrange shuttle buses from satellite campuses if needed.

Note: Registration is now closed. Email casual@cupe3261.ca with any questions or concerns.

Key Details:

  • Date: Saturday, September 21st
  • Time: 12 PM – 4 PM
  • Location: University College Quad (St. George Campus)
  • Guests: All members are welcome to bring one adult guest, plus any young kids!

We’ll have fun activities and events for all ages, so don’t miss out!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Location Details: