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.
Register now for the Bargaining Townhall on Nov 23 and the Bargaining Committee Election on Nov 30!
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
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
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
Luke Daccord = 459 (76.1%) WINNER
Chris Tavares = 144 (23.9%)
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.
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
Roll call of officers
Reading of the Equality Statement
Reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting
Elections Committee Report
Oaths of Office
President’s Report
Nominations for Faculty Club Unit Representative
Treasurer’s Report
Notice of Motion to Establish Strike and Defense Fund
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
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!
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 formASAP 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.
Solidarity with CUPE 2361 – Western University Service Workers
CUPE 3261 stands in solidarity with the members of CUPE 2361, who courageously went on strike to advocate for fair treatment and improved working conditions at Western University.
The challenges faced by CUPE 2361 resonate deeply with us at CUPE 3261, as we recognize the vital role that caretaking, grounds, and trades workers play in maintaining a thriving campus environment. It is unacceptable that Western University has allowed a staffing crisis to persist, driven by low wages and unsustainable workloads, impacting both the workers and the entire campus community.
CUPE 3261 commends the strength and determination of CUPE 2361 in taking this bold step to demand a contract that acknowledges their invaluable contributions. We urge Western University to return to the bargaining table with a genuine commitment to addressing workers’ concerns and reaching a fair resolution that respects the dignity of all its employees.
In solidarity,
CUPE 3261 Executive
Join the 2024 Labour Day Parade!
Calling all CUPE 3261 members!
Labour Day is our time to rise! Join workers on September 2nd for the Toronto Labour Day Parade – a powerful march from downtown to the CNE, celebrating 151 years of solidarity and struggle.
With inflation soaring, inequality widening, and basic fairness under attack, workers are drawing a line in the sand. We’re marching to defy the austerity and privatization agenda that’s eroding our public services and driving up the cost of living.
This Labour Day, let’s paint the city pink! Join CUPE members from all walks of life and send a resounding message: enough is enough!
WHEN: Monday, September 2nd, 2024 at 9AM
WHERE: Section 8, West Side of University Ave., North from Armoury to Dundas St. W. (Marching to the CNE)
We’re fighting for workers, our communities, and a brighter future. Because we’re worth it!
CUPE 2361 Solidarity Rally This Saturday at Western University
Our colleagues at CUPE 2361 (not a typo, we promise!), who represent service workers at Western University, will be in a legal strike position tomorrow at 12:01 AM Friday, August 30th. These members, who do work similar to ours – like caretaking, trades, athletics, grounds, and maintenance – are fighting against chronic understaffing, heavy workloads, and low wages. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to reach a fair deal with their employer, with strike action likely starting tomorrow.
We urge you to show your solidarity! A rally will be held at the CUPE 2361 picket lines from 12 PM – 2 PM this Saturday (August 31).
To make it easier for members to attend, the OUWCC (Ontario University Workers Coordinating Committee) is organizing a bus to the rally leaving from downtown Toronto.
Departure: 9 AM, Saturday, August 31st
Location: Union Station, near the West Entrance (26 York St, Toronto, ON M5J 2M3)
We invite all available members, along with any friends and family, to join us on the bus or meet us at the picket lines to stand with our fellow workers!
Please fill out this RSVP form if you plan on attending.
Back-To-Work September BBQ
Get ready to kick off the school year with a sizzling September BBQ! 🌭🍔 We’re thrilled to announce this joint event hosted by all U of T CUPE locals, including CUPE 3902, CUPE 1230, CUPE 2484, and us!
Planning to come? Please fill out this RSVP form as soon as possible so we can ensure there’s enough food for everyone and arrange shuttle buses from satellite campuses if needed!
Please RSVP by Wednesday, September 4th.
All members are welcome to bring one adult guest. Additionally, if you have young kids, they’re more than welcome too! We’ll have fun activities and events for all ages.
