Strike Pay Application Form (Form E)
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE YOUR STRIKE PAY APPLICATION FORM
Become a Picket Captain
Our friends at CUPE 3902 have already trained over 60 picket captains, and there are more trainings on the way! Picket captains take a leadership role on the picket line and are essential to keeping their picketing coworkers motivated, up to date, and organized.
You must attend at least one training to be a picket captain during a strikes.
Thursday Feb 29th, 9AM-10AMThursday Feb 29th, 5PM-6PM- Saturday Mar 2nd, 12PM-1PM
These sessions will take place on virtually on Zoom.
If you would like to be a picket captain and cannot make a scheduled session, email strike@cupe3261.ca.
Join a Strike Subcommittee
Your CUPE 3261 Bargaining Committees have joined forces with the Bargaining Committees for CUPE 3902 Unit 1 and 5 —and their Unit 1 Bargaining Support Committee — to form the CUPE Locals Strike Committee. They are now coordinating administrative, financial, communications, and picketing subcommittees. Want to support? Sign up HERE to join a subcommittee.
E-Action to the U of T Governing Council
Your employer has heard from you in many ways: your bargaining survey, majority petition, and strike mandate vote. You also have an entire community of U of T students, staff, faculty, alum, and allies behind you, and it’s time for the U of T decision makers to hear from them.
We’ve launched an E-ACTION to do just that — send a message to the decision makers at UofT that we deserve Respect, Dignity, and a Living Wage — so make sure you and your coworkers do the action and share it with friends and family as well.
Visit WeAreUofT.com to see the petition (and our new unified bargaining campaign webpage for CUPE 3261 and 3902!)
Strike FAQ
When could we be on strike?
CUPE 3261’s Full-Time Part-Time, Casual, and 89 Chestnut Units – as well as CUPE 3902’s Unit 1 (TA’s) and Unit 5 (Post-Docs) all share a strike deadline of Monday March 4th at 12:01AM (midnight on the evening of Sunday March 3rd). If we do not have a deal by this date up to 8,000 workers could be on a legal strike.
What happens if we go on strike?
In the event a strike becomes necessary and is called by your Negotiating Committee, every member will be immediately notified. It is crucial that every FTPT, Casual, and 89 Chestnut member stops reporting to work and participates in strike duties like picketing to make the strike as strong as possible.
In the coming days, all CUPE 3261 members will need to sign a strike pay application form in order to receive strike pay (see more below) . You also will be assigned a picket captain and informed when and where to picket on Monday March 4th in the event a strike is called.
Will I get in trouble for participating in a strike?
You have a protected legal right to strike. It is against the law for management to discipline members for engaging in a lawful strike. Your union will support you if any such action is taken by management.
How much is strike pay?
In the case of a strike, you will receive strike pay for engaging in 20 hours/week of strike duties (like picketing). Strike pay is not taxable income, and will be provided by cheque.
- Strike pay is FTPT and Chestnut unit members is $500/week
- Strike pay for Casual unit members up to $400/week
How do I qualify for strike pay?
In the event of a strike, to qualify for strike pay you need to:
- Be an active, dues-paying member of CUPE 3261’s FTPT, Casual, or 89 Chestnut Unit
- Have completed the Strike Pay Form
- Not go to work, and participate in strike duties as assigned by your strike committee
Where do I fill out the Strike Pay Form?
The Strike Pay Application Form (also known as “Form E”) is an electronic form that has been sent to the phone and emails of each member. You can fill out the form on your computer, phone or tablet. It can be also found here.
If you need assistance filling out the form, talk to a shop steward or Contract Action Team member in your workplace – or get in touch with your strike committee via the info at the bottom of this page.
It is crucial that every CUPE 3261 member fills out this form as soon as possible. Only after you fill out this form can the Strike Committee assign you to a picket and a picket captain so that you can be prepared to report for strike duties in the event a strike is called.
What is accommodated shift scheduling?
The strike pay application form has a field where you can request accommodated shifts. Accommodated shifts are for those who are unable to consistently participate in strike duties during the regular scheduled shifts listed on the form. Members may request accommodated shift scheduling due to having, for example, a second job or childcare restrictions. We will follow up with any members making this request to ensure that strike duties can still be fulfilled weekly. Your strike committee will do their best to provide accommodations but this cannot be guaranteed.
What happens to my benefits in the event of a strike?
CUPE 3261 and 3902 have both requested from the University of Toronto that in the event of a strike the University continue all health benefits – with both the employer and employee share of these benefits being paid for by CUPE National’s strike fund. The University has agreed to this request and therefor all of the following benefits shall continue for CUPE 3261 FTPT and 89 Chestnut Members: Group Life and Survivor Income, Long Term Disability, Dental Care, Extended Health Care, Vision Care, Joint Membership Plan, and EFAP.
What happens if I’m on sick leave during a strike?
In the event that you are on sick leave when a strike commences, you may qualify for strike pay pending approval from your strike committee and in accordance with CUPE National Strike Fund Regulations. Make sure to complete your Form E and indicate that you need an accommodation.
Any questions not answered in this FAQ? Call or text our strike committee hotline at (647) 905-6030 or email strike@cupe3261.ca.