McGuinty to introduce back-to-work legislation to end York strike

McGuinty
to introduce back-to-work legislation
to end York strike

January 24, 2009

Ontario New Democrats on Saturday threw a roadblock in front of Premier Dalton McGuinty’s plans for the speedy passage Sunday of back-to-work legislation that would end the York University labour dispute.

"We will not be supporting this legislation and we will not be giving it automatic consent through the legislature,” NDP Leader Howard Hampton said Saturday.

The premier had hoped the legislation’s passage Sunday could put York students back in the classroom Monday. But the bill, which has the support of the Progressive Conservatives, requires three readings and without unanimous support of all MPPs it will likely take several days to pass.

Earlier this week, members of Canadian Union of Public Employees 3903, which represents striking teaching assistants, graduate assistants and contract faculty, voted 63 per cent against accepting a settlement offer from York.

The university said the deal, which includes a wage and benefits increase of 10.7 per cent, represented a reasonable offer. But CUPE dismissed it, highlighting what they see as inadequate job security for contract faculty, who must reapply for positions at the start of each academic year.

The ratification vote, supervised by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, was forced on the 3,340 union members after the union leaders refused to put the offer to a vote.

Afterward, the province announced it was sending in a top mediator for “one more shot” at finding a resolution to end the strike. But on Saturday mediator Reg Pearson told the premier there was “no reasonable prospect of a negotiated settlement.”

The NDP_leader, however, believes negotiations should continue.

"We think that the university should go back to the bargaining table — they refused last week to bargain any further — we think that’s wrong,” Hampton said. "This is legislation that will have to be debated — I think the real issue is this — I think the university should go back to the bargaining table and bargain in good faith."

The premier sees things differently.

“I am absolutely convinced that both sides are in a deadlock,” McGuinty said at a Toronto news conference on Saturday.

Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory called McGuinty’s decision long overdue. “Our party has been calling for McGuinty to take action on this since November,” Tory said in a statement.

A students’ group — YorkNotHostage — said it was “extremely happy” with the premier’s decision.

“Back to work legislation is about putting students first,” said spokeswoman Catherine Divaris in a statement. “However, it is also fair to both sides in the labour dispute. Back to work legislation will send both sides to a neutral, third-party arbitrator.”

McGuinty also said Ontario Student Assistance Program support payments to students would be extended if York decides to lengthen the academic term.

York University’s 50,000 undergraduates have been shut out of classes since the strike began on Nov. 6.

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