CUPE 3903 Collective Bargaining

York University’s approach to collective bargaining with all our union partners is informed by five core principles

Students First

Grounded in a shared commitment to students, we seek to achieve collective agreements that advance academic quality and student experience.

Respect & Transparency

We are committed to fostering and preserving trust through the open, transparent, and timely communication of relevant information. We conduct ourselves responsibly and with integrity to earn the trust and respect of others.

Decolonization, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We advance decolonization, equity, diversity, and inclusion through collective bargaining by addressing systemic barriers faced by equity deserving groups and fostering conditions where members of our community can thrive.

Financial Stability

Our approach is grounded in securing the long-term financial stability of the University by balancing economic realities and constraints with equitable compensation practices.

Accountability

We negotiate collective agreements as responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us to achieve the University’s mission.

Updates

The University and CUPE 3903 continue to actively engage in collective bargaining. Following CUPE 3903’s application for conciliation, the Ministry of Labour has now appointed a conciliator. The University looks forward to advancing negotiations with the assistance of the conciliator in the coming weeks. The University and the Union have also agreed to continue negotiations in the absence of the conciliator, based on the availability of the parties.

Bargaining meetings have continued throughout October, with progress made most recently in respect of proposals on Health and Safety and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The University recognizes the broad significance of AI. At York, students, instructors, faculty and researchers are engaging with AI systems and tools in meaningful and wide-ranging ways. The University is continually and intentionally evolving its guidance, training, and safeguards. Learn more about AI@York here.

The University remains focused on reaching a negotiated renewal collective agreement that recognizes the important role of employees represented by CUPE 3903, while supporting the institution's academic and scholarship priorities alongside its operational needs. Together, these create a high-quality learning and research experience and pave the way for the success of York students, faculty and staff.

The next bargaining meeting is scheduled for October 29, 2026.

The University and CUPE 3903 have been actively engaged in collective bargaining since July 6, 2026.

The University remains focused on reaching a negotiated renewal collective agreement that recognizes the important role of employees represented by CUPE 3903, while supporting the institution's academic priorities and operational needs. Together, these create a high-quality student learning experience.

Recent Developments and Conciliation
Following their General Membership Meeting on September 24, CUPE 3903 applied to the Ministry of Labour for conciliation on September 25. Conciliation is a normal part of the collective bargaining process. It is a standard mechanism frequently utilized by both unions and employers to help them reach an agreement. The University looks forward to advancing negotiations with the assistance of a conciliator.

Bargaining meetings continue to move forward, with meetings set for September 29 and October 1. Additional bargaining dates throughout October are currently being canvassed by both bargaining teams. The University is committed to keeping the community informed throughout this process and will continue to share regular updates.

The University and CUPE 3903 Units 1, 2 & 3 have held several collective bargaining meetings in August and September, with additional meeting dates now scheduled into October.

As of September 15, 2026, the University’s bargaining team has presented all non-monetary proposals to CUPE 3903’s bargaining team and hopes to receive and discuss responses as talks continue. The University looks forward to ongoing meaningful two-way dialogue on all proposals from both parties.

The next bargaining meeting is September 22, 2026. The full schedule of meeting dates can be found here.

Since our last update on July 27, the University and CUPE 3903 bargaining teams have held several days of negotiations, meeting on July 29 and August 6, 10, 13, 17, and 20. These first series of bargaining sessions were an opportunity for the University to listen carefully, ask questions and engage in two-way dialogue with the Union regarding their comprehensive package of proposals. The University also commenced discussions regarding some of its broad themes of interest in this round of negotiations.

The bargaining teams agreed not to schedule meetings during the first week of the Fall term, week of September 7. This brief pause allows all involved in bargaining to focus on welcoming students back to campus and commencing classes.

The University looks forward to continuing this important work with the Union at the currently scheduled bargaining sessions on August 25 and 27, and September 1, 3, 15, 22, and 29. Further bargaining dates after the first week of the Fall term will be published when agreed to by the bargaining teams.

On Wednesday, July 22, the University and CUPE 3903 Units 1, 2 & 3 held the second full day of collective bargaining. During the session, the University bargaining team shared broad themes of interest for these negotiations.

The University looks forward to continuing this important work with the Union at the next scheduled bargaining session.

Interim Provost & Vice-President Academic Laina Bay-Cheng will attend the opening portion of the next session to speak with the CUPE 3903 bargaining team about Glendon College and the proposal for reimagining and revitalizing York’s bilingual academic mission.

Next bargaining session: Wednesday, July 29, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, July 15, the University and CUPE 3903 Units 1, 2 & 3, held their first day of collective bargaining, following the Union’s submission of their proposals package earlier in the week.

Interim VP of Equity, People & Culture Parissa Safai attended the all-day session, where the University listened to the Union’s proposals, asked questions, and engaged in discussions with the Union where appropriate. The University will continue hearing and discussing the Union’s proposals during the next scheduled bargaining session.

Next bargaining session: Wednesday, July 22, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The bargaining teams for the university and CUPE 3903 met for the first time on July 6, 2026, to begin collective bargaining toward renewal collective agreements for teaching assistants, contract faculty, and graduate assistants. Engaging in collective bargaining is a regular process in a unionized workplace and we appreciated the opportunity to begin this important work. As is typical for a first meeting, the bargaining teams discussed procedural matters. The parties are in the process of scheduling upcoming meeting dates for July and August.

Past and upcoming meeting dates

July 6, 15, 22, 29
August 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 25, 27
September 1, 3, 15, 22, 25, 29
October 1, 6, 13, 15, 29

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