[Fdu] YUFA: York U admin faces mounting criticism

[Cynthia Wright]

  York U admin faces mounting criticism as summer term threatened by strike

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News provided by

*York University Faculty Association* 
<https://www.newswire.ca/news/york-university-faculty-association>

15:45 ET

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  * <https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/york-u-admin-faces-mounting-criticism-as-summer-term-threatened-by-strike-681535771.html#>
    <https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/york-u-admin-faces-mounting-criticism-as-summer-term-threatened-by-strike-681535771.html#>


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TORONTO, May 2, 2018 /CNW/ - A growing number of faculty councils and 
student associations at York University have passed "non-confidence" 
votes in the senior administration over its handling of a strike by 
contract faculty and teaching assistants. Now in its ninth week, the 
strike has reached an impasse because the administration has refused to 
return to the bargaining table.

Since last week, non-confidence votes have passed at council meetings at 
Glendon College, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Environmental 
Studies, the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LAPS), the 
York University Graduate Students' Association (YUGSA), and a number of 
departments and student associations. Almost half of York's 1,500 
full-time faculty teach in LAPS, and YUGSA represents York's 6,000 
graduate students.

"In all my time at York, I have never seen so much public opposition to 
the administration," says Richard Wellen, president of the York 
University Faculty Association (YUFA). "Without a doubt, these votes 
reflect a growing sense of frustration with York's approach to labour 
relations during the current strike."

These non-confidence votes name York University President Rhonda Lenton 
and Board of Governors Chair Rick Waugh, and have attracted the 
attention of faculty and students throughout the post-secondary sector.

At its national council meeting on April 29, the Canadian Association of 
University Teachers (CAUT) unanimously passed a motion 
<https://council.caut.ca/docs/default-source/council-84/meeting-materials/16-york-university-faculty-association---motion.pdf?sfvrsn=0> 
to condemn "the actions and policies of the York University Board of 
Governors and Senior Administration in their attempts to broaden the 
Board's jurisdiction in ways that undermine and limit the legitimate 
authority of Senate over the academic affairs of the University."

CAUT expressed its alarm in a public letter to President Lenton and 
Chair Waugh.

"Collegial governance is a core value of universities and colleges," 
says David Robinson, Executive Director of CAUT. "If our institutions 
are to fill their public responsibilities for the preservation, 
transmission, and creation of knowledge, academic bodies must play the 
decisive role in setting academic policy."

As the strike approaches its tenth week, the University has yet to 
clarify whether it will cancel any of the summer semesters or return to 
the bargaining table.

"We've been saying all along that a fair deal could end this strike," 
says Wellen. "We sincerely hope the admin will soon come to the same 
conclusion, and negotiate a settlement as soon as possible."

The York University Faculty Association is the professional association 
and certified bargaining agent for approximately 1,500 faculty, 
librarians and archivists, and post-doctoral visitors at York University.

SOURCE York University Faculty Association

For further information: Richard Wellen, YUFA President: 647-637-3475 or 
rwellen at yorku.ca; Jody Berland, YUFA Communications Officer: 
416-735-7571 or jberland at yorku.ca


      Organization Profile

York University Faculty Association 
<https://www.newswire.ca/news/york-university-faculty-association>

*Also from this source:*

  * 'Forced' ratification vote could prolong York U strike, says faculty
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    <https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/forced-ratification-vote-could-prolong-york-u-strike-says-faculty-union-678853773.html>
  * Is York University really running as usual?
    <https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/is-york-university-really-running-as-usual-678104003.html>
  * York U committee calls for divestment from arms manufacturers
    <https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/york-u-committee-calls-for-divestment-from-arms-manufacturers-676793433.html>

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  York U admin faces mounting criticism as summer term threatened by strike

News provided by

*York University Faculty Association* 
<https://www.newswire.ca/news/york-university-faculty-association>

15:45 ET




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