York U Strike Vote Underway

This strike has outgrown its usefulness. The York Administration and CUPE need to get outside the box and settle this strike. I suggest binding arbitration as the way to break the logjam. That would mean that both parties would get what can be done rather than their full wish lists. Failing that if the strike drags on the York students should and could launch legal action ( class action) as an injured third party seeking damages and the recovery of tuitions fees and expenses lost over the past 75 days. There is now no time left. The year is clearly in jeopardy which if this is the plan of either CUPE or York U could be seen as malfeasance for CUPE and at worst a willful Breach of Contract with the students by the York Administration. The fact that CUPE is also in negotiations with UofT and Ryerson could mean that all the GTA universities will be on strike during 2009. It also means that CUPE has a lot ot lose if this strike doesn’t get the results they are looking for. The sad part is that 50,000 York students are left holding the bag as CUPE president Sid Ryan tries to squeeze the Toronto universities. My interest in this strike is my daughter who is a third year York student with a lot to lose. First year students can walk away from York with no real investment in the place. Third year students and graduating students planning a 2009 graduation are left carrying the can for all this intransigence.