YUSA Remembers 35 Years of Solidarity with Post Card Campaign
YUSA recently celebrated
its 35th Anniversary. To
remember the gains we
have made over the past
three and half decades,
YUSA launched a poster
and postcard campaign to
say "thank you" to the
hundreds of people who have
worked so hard for our union and what it has accomplished.
YUSA recently celebrated
its 35th Anniversary. To
remember the gains we
have made over the past
three and half decades,
YUSA launched a poster
and postcard campaign to
say "thank you" to the
hundreds of people who have
worked so hard for our union and what it has accomplished.
For the second year in a row, Barrie residents didn’t have to travel on a busy Highway 400 to Toronto in order to celebrate Labour Day.
The Second Annual Barrie Labour Day Picnic featuring music, food and fun for kids, took place on September 5th at Sunnidale Park.
The Second Annual Barrie Labour Day Picnic featuring music, food and fun for kids, took place on September 5th at Sunnidale Park.
YUSAPUY - 4700 Keele St., Room 065, East Office Building. Toronto, Ontario. M3J 1P3. Phone 416.736.5109. Fax 416-736-5519. Office@yusapuy.ca. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.
Website designed by Sean Cain, Better World Communications (www.freelancewrite.org)
Website designed by Sean Cain, Better World Communications (www.freelancewrite.org)
YUSA President Joanie Cameron Pritchett Challenges Chancellor Shoukri about Role of Community at York
A September 2011 Town Hall meeting with York University Chancellor Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri was attended by YUSA President Joanie Cameron Pritchett and Vice Presidents Robin Smith and Giulio Malfatti. Cameron challenged Dr. Shoukri to ensure that York University maintain its community roots and provide students with high quality educational services.
CCU Launches into the World of Web 2.0
The CCU, of which YUSA is an affiliate, has recently initiated a highly successful communications and media strategy that has raised our profile and launched us into the online universe.
For starters, the CCU has created a Facebook group. Be sure to “Like” it to join up. It’s a great way to stay in touch with other members throughout the country, learn about upcoming events and debate important labour issues.
In addition, President Joanie Cameron Pritchett has created both a blog and twitter account so the CCU and YUSA can better communicate with the outside world and the media about what’s going on in the union and the labour movement.
We have also created our own YouTube Channel, which will feature CCU and YUSA events and activities and other videos on labour struggles and education from Canada and all over the world.
For starters, the CCU has created a Facebook group. Be sure to “Like” it to join up. It’s a great way to stay in touch with other members throughout the country, learn about upcoming events and debate important labour issues.
In addition, President Joanie Cameron Pritchett has created both a blog and twitter account so the CCU and YUSA can better communicate with the outside world and the media about what’s going on in the union and the labour movement.
We have also created our own YouTube Channel, which will feature CCU and YUSA events and activities and other videos on labour struggles and education from Canada and all over the world.
Follow the CCU
YUSA, the CCU and its Affiliates Remember the Day of Mourning on April 28
Over the past three decades, labour unions have struggled tirelessly to protect workers on the job from accidents, illness and violence. And although governments have passed important legislation to improve health and safety standards, over 1,000 people die every year in Canada at work.
April 28 is the Day of Mourning, a time when labour unions reflect on the lost sisters and brothers who have died in the workplace. This recently hit close to home for YUSA members, as a young construction worker was killed in October 2011 by falling heavy equipment at the future site of a subway station on York University Campus. This young man had parents, family members and friends.
Both employers and unions throughout the country must reflect on what can be done to eliminate injuries and deaths at work. As union activists, we can renew our commitments to improve health and safety conditions in workplaces everywhere.
As the labour movement always says, “Remember the Fallen. Fight for the Living.” The York University Staff Association and the Confederation of Canadian Unions looks forward to a day when no worker has to be afraid of injury or death on the job.
Download Poster (PDF)
April 28 is the Day of Mourning, a time when labour unions reflect on the lost sisters and brothers who have died in the workplace. This recently hit close to home for YUSA members, as a young construction worker was killed in October 2011 by falling heavy equipment at the future site of a subway station on York University Campus. This young man had parents, family members and friends.
Both employers and unions throughout the country must reflect on what can be done to eliminate injuries and deaths at work. As union activists, we can renew our commitments to improve health and safety conditions in workplaces everywhere.
As the labour movement always says, “Remember the Fallen. Fight for the Living.” The York University Staff Association and the Confederation of Canadian Unions looks forward to a day when no worker has to be afraid of injury or death on the job.
Download Poster (PDF)
Our most recent edition includes articles on pay equity, health and safety, the Day of Mourning, a tribute to Madeleine Parent, meeting new YUSA members, the June YUSA picnic announcement, book recommendations, and a farewell message from Bebee Idems, who will be retiring in June after 21 years of incredible service to the union.
Download here.
Download here.
Read the Spring 2012 Edition of the YUSA Newsletter
TAKE ACTION (see below)
Employees of Cole Harbour Place are preparing to be on the picket line tomorrow morning. Last ditch talks between the community recreation facility and its custodial and maintenance employees broke down Tuesday when Cole Harbour Place rejected the Union’s latest offer.
The only issue in the dispute is wages. The 25 workers currently earn between $10.37 and $15.64 an hour. They are looking for a total increase of $1.45 an hour over four years.
“These employees provide a valuable service to the community and are barely paid above the legal minimum wage, ” said John Hanrahan, President of the Nova Scotia Union of Public & Private Employees. “It’s disgraceful.”
Hanrahan says he doubts many people who use the facility know how badly the workers are paid. “It’s not as if they’re looking for the moon here,” he said. “They just want to be able to provide for themselves and their families.”
The Union is hopeful that Cole Harbour Place patrons will honour their picket lines and help end the strike quickly.
The Nova Scotia Union of Public and Private Employees represents public, non-profit and private sector employees in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. For information please contact: Adam Panko, Business Agent/Lawyer, at 422-6055, ext. 25.
Employees of Cole Harbour Place are preparing to be on the picket line tomorrow morning. Last ditch talks between the community recreation facility and its custodial and maintenance employees broke down Tuesday when Cole Harbour Place rejected the Union’s latest offer.
The only issue in the dispute is wages. The 25 workers currently earn between $10.37 and $15.64 an hour. They are looking for a total increase of $1.45 an hour over four years.
“These employees provide a valuable service to the community and are barely paid above the legal minimum wage, ” said John Hanrahan, President of the Nova Scotia Union of Public & Private Employees. “It’s disgraceful.”
Hanrahan says he doubts many people who use the facility know how badly the workers are paid. “It’s not as if they’re looking for the moon here,” he said. “They just want to be able to provide for themselves and their families.”
The Union is hopeful that Cole Harbour Place patrons will honour their picket lines and help end the strike quickly.
The Nova Scotia Union of Public and Private Employees represents public, non-profit and private sector employees in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. For information please contact: Adam Panko, Business Agent/Lawyer, at 422-6055, ext. 25.
TAKE ACTION NOW: Sign the online Petition and "Like" the Facebook Page
NSUPE Local 22 On Strike in Halifax
York University Staff Association (YUSA) Speaks Out On New Anti-Harassment Bill in Ontario
On December 9, 2009, the Ontario legislature passed Bill 168, The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace), 2009. The Bill comes into effect June 15, 2010, and requires employers to:
* Develop and maintain policies relating to workplace violence and workplace harassment
* Post the policies in a conspicuous place in the workplace
* Review the policies regularly (at least annually) and develop programs to implement them; and
* Promptly address incidents and complaints of workplace violence and harassment.
The York University Staff Association believes that it is up to unions, workers, supervisors and managers to “all play a role in fulfilling the obligations set out by Ontario in the new Bill 168."
Read YUSA’s full response to the bill
On December 9, 2009, the Ontario legislature passed Bill 168, The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace), 2009. The Bill comes into effect June 15, 2010, and requires employers to:
* Develop and maintain policies relating to workplace violence and workplace harassment
* Post the policies in a conspicuous place in the workplace
* Review the policies regularly (at least annually) and develop programs to implement them; and
* Promptly address incidents and complaints of workplace violence and harassment.
The York University Staff Association believes that it is up to unions, workers, supervisors and managers to “all play a role in fulfilling the obligations set out by Ontario in the new Bill 168."
Read YUSA’s full response to the bill
CCU Initiates Political Education Campaign for 2011 Ontario Election, asks Workers to “Have A Say, Vote Your Way"
The Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), of which YUSA is a proud member, initiated a bold political education campaign for the Ontario Election on October 6th.
The CCU received responses from a questionnaire it sent to the four major parties at the beginning of the election campaign. Named “Have A Say, Vote Your Way,” the questionnaire relates to issues that matter to wage earners and working class people in Ontario.
The Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), of which YUSA is a proud member, initiated a bold political education campaign for the Ontario Election on October 6th.
The CCU received responses from a questionnaire it sent to the four major parties at the beginning of the election campaign. Named “Have A Say, Vote Your Way,” the questionnaire relates to issues that matter to wage earners and working class people in Ontario.
YUSA Ratifies Unit 1 Collective Agreement
On August 18, YUSA overwhelmingly accepted the August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2014 Unit 1 Collective Agreement. A special "thank you" to all the volunteers who helped with the entire process.
YUSA is currently proofreading the new CA and will have it available here for download and will mail it to all members when it is available.
On August 18, YUSA overwhelmingly accepted the August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2014 Unit 1 Collective Agreement. A special "thank you" to all the volunteers who helped with the entire process.
YUSA is currently proofreading the new CA and will have it available here for download and will mail it to all members when it is available.
Earlier this year, YUSA was proud to honour the long-time members of our union who struggled for years to win the rights and benefits we enjoy today. Yet as YFILE Magazine reports, many of them are as busy as ever, taking on new pursuits and challenges with youthful enthusiasm.
YUSAPUY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Members Vote on New Drug Card
YUSAPUY 1 members voted on a very important initiative regarding the new prescription drug card.
Members Vote on New Drug Card
YUSAPUY 1 members voted on a very important initiative regarding the new prescription drug card.
YUSA Celebrates May Day 2012
YusApuy is pleased to host the Second Annual May Day celebration at York University. Along with members of the All Unions Coalition of York University, volunteers from groups across campus will be in Vari Hall on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 from noon to 2:00 pm to commemorate this very important day in the lives of all workers - local, national and world wide.
Please drop by and visit our tables over your lunch hour to chat with volunteers from some of the various labour groups on campus that make such a valuable contribution to the York community.
Download poster
YusApuy is pleased to host the Second Annual May Day celebration at York University. Along with members of the All Unions Coalition of York University, volunteers from groups across campus will be in Vari Hall on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 from noon to 2:00 pm to commemorate this very important day in the lives of all workers - local, national and world wide.
Please drop by and visit our tables over your lunch hour to chat with volunteers from some of the various labour groups on campus that make such a valuable contribution to the York community.
Download poster
