Stronger Together:
Coordinated Bargaining Conference
More than 40 leaders from 4 locals and 11 units gathered on May 22, 2026 to coordinate bargaining efforts. This was the second coordinated bargaining conference held by CUPE locals at the University of Toronto, and the first to include CUPE 2484 childcare workers.
This meeting was a key opportunity to unite around our shared interests despite our different job categories, share our bargaining priorities, and map our collective strategy to improve worker conditions across U of T. Your locals are committed to building worker power, achieving critical gains at the bargaining table, and creating long-lasting solidarity!
AI Bargaining Workshop
On March 4, 2026, CUPE 1230, 3261, and 3902, with friends from USW 1998, participated in a full-day workshop on U of T’s uncritical implementation of AI and its impact on workers, including surveillance, job replacement, privacy, bias, deskilling, and the implications of AI management. Algorithms can’t capture the nuance and unquantifiable value of our work, or understand workers’ needs. Moreover, AI use may negatively impact student’s depth of knowledge and critical thinking skills. Still, AI offers opportunities to improve efficiency in repetitive and time-consuming tasks and can be a significantly innovative research tool.
These technologies must be regulated, and your bargaining teams are working on proposals to protect educational integrity and safeguard workers’ jobs and data.
CUPE 1230
In March 2026, Local 1230’s Executive Committee and bargaining teams completed bargaining training and strategic planning to set priorities for the coming months. 1230 is entering bargaining with a full and committed set of representatives across the library’s many worksites.The Student Casual BC has launched its bargaining survey! We’re gathering as much feedback as possible before Spring Convocation. 1230 Stdent Casuals can fill out the survey here.
CUPE 2484
In May 2026, Local 2484 childcare workers at U of T’s Early Learning Centres attended a coordinated bargaining presentation and elected bargaining team members. 2484 continues to hold multi-workplace bargaining caucuses to connect, learn about CUPE’s structure and resources, and advocate for our unique identities. We’ve built strong strike mandates upwards of 90% at other recent tables in the local, using these strategic member capacity-building sessions.
To support your ELC bargaining team and ensure your voice is heard, don’t forget to fill out your bargaining survey!
CUPE 3902
The Unit 1 Bargaining survey has been launched in almost all departments via info sessions, with over 300 surveys already completed. Meanwhile, Bargaining Committee members are going through the CA line-by-line to identify language that needs improvement. On the organizing front, Bargaining Support Committee members are meeting regularly to brainstorm on how to build power and reach U1 members more effectively.
Since being elected in December 2025, the Unit 5 bargaining committee has been working hard to develop bargaining priorities and proposals that address the concerns that postdocs have raised in bargaining surveys, membership meetings, coffee hours, and one-on-one conversations with stewards. The Unit 5 BC has already been at the table four times with the employer, and is regularly updating the Unit 5 Proposal Tracker so you can see our tabled proposals and the employer’s responses.
In March 2026, Unit 2 and Unit 4 elected their BCs, and they have since launched their surveys to hear directly from members on their bargaining priorities for this round. Contact your steward to fill out the survey!
CUPE 3261
Last month, the elected bargaining committee members of the Full-Time Part-Time, Casual, and 89 Chestnut units completed strategic planning and bargaining training. They are now preparing their bargaining surveys to identify members’ priorities.
3261 is now identifying opportunities for collective action with other locals through community and social events to strengthen our campus coalition. These are efforts to prioritize the mandate given by the membership: coordinating with other locals to build power and win at the table.
