On Sunday March 3rd, for the first time ever, all five units of CUPE 3261 and CUPE 3902 sat side-by-side at the table during our final pass of counter proposals. Many hours later and just minutes before midnight, we received the university’s final offers, and signed historic tentative agreements.

In the summer of 2023, you and your coworkers in CUPE 3902 and 3261 began a unified bargaining campaign. Together, over 8,000 workers had a vision for what the U of T should look like as a university and as a workplace – a vision that starts with a living wage and better working conditions….

Our coordination and solidarity have already secured significant gains for thousands of CUPE members in both 3902 and 3261. You have shown that when teaching assistants, caretakers, postdoc researchers, and food service workers stand together, you can achieve real gains that improve your working conditions and students’ learning conditions. Still, many important issues remain unresolved by the University’s proposals; strike preparations will continue!