Munirul-Haq Raza | News Editor
Featured image: The newly formed student group is planning a walk-out on Friday. | Sara Bahaa
New student group Students Against Strike had their first meeting in Scott Library this past Monday to discuss the fallout of a potential strike by members of CUPE local 3903.
The group considered what CUPE 3903 members could do to ease the effects of the strike in terms of academic life in return for student support, as well as the possible economic impact of the strike on students who live in student housing or near campus.
Stephan Martin Chung, who was one of the the group’s founding members, wants undergraduates to be represented at the negotiating table, and not just as a bargaining chip.
“Students are essentially the rope in their game of tug-of-war,” he says.
When asked why the group was formed, Chung says: “The initial idea was to stop and prevent the strike, and give students a voice during it. It’s not necessarily to be pro-teaching assistants or pro-York Admin, or anti-CUPE 3903 or anti-York administration—it’s supposed to simply be pro-students.”
He adds: “We would like to see more transparency from York and CUPE 3903, as well as to be a part of the table. Decisions are being made for students.”
Chung wants students to have a voice in said decisions.
“Right now, after this meeting, our main goal is to have a platform in the discussion between CUPE 3903 and the York administration.”
Chung says the group would like to see the strike “be as soft on students as possible,” and would like for coursework to be released early before a strike, students to be graded on a lighter scale, and for the strike to end as soon as possible.
“Because the strike’s effects are detrimental,” he says.
“We now have a fixed goal of having a walkout, with the goal of having student voices being heard and having a say in the matter. Our new name is Students For Strike Platform,” he adds.
The group is planning a walk-out this Friday at noon, meant for “all students to stand in solidarity with one another.”
