CUPE strikes: Demonstrators cram into UofT's Munk School

Striking teaching assistants and others at the University of Toronto took their demonstration indoors on Wednesday, looking to confront university president Meric Gertler. 

Protesters — chanting and waving placards — crammed into the university's Munk School of Global Affairs after hearing Gertler was scheduled to introduce a speaker. 

Some even got into the room where Gertler was expected, though he wasn't there and, in the end, didn't appear. 

• Most undergrads now taught by poorly paid part-timers
• UofT teaching assistants set up picket lines on campus
• York University cancels classes amid strike

Members of CUPE 3902 walked off the job last week, followed a few days later by members of CUPE 3903, which represents TAs and other non-tenured academic staff at York University. 

The union says the main issues in the disputes include wages, benefits and hiring practices. 

CUPE 3902 spokesman Craig Smith told CBC News there are some misconceptions about how much TAs and others are paid. 

We don't work 40 hours a week. We don't clock overtime. We make $15,000 a year.- CUPE 3902 spokesman Craig Smith

"People hear that they make more than $42 an hour. The hourly rate is not the issue. What's at issue is the funding package," Smith said.  

"The funding package is worth $15,000 regardless of the hourly rate. We don't get more than that. We don't work 40 hours a week. We don't clock overtime. We make $15,000 a year." 

Classes have been cancelled at York because of the strike, but continue at the University of Toronto. 

There has been no word on when talks might resume. 

Minister calls for talks 

Earlier on Wednesday, Ontario’s labour minister urged both sides in the York University strike to get back to the bargaining table on Wednesday to prevent a lengthy shutdown.

Minister Kevin Flynn told CBC News that provincial mediators are optimistic a settlement can be reached between the university and its 3,700 teaching and research assistants, contract faculty, graduate students.

"I’m not hearing they’re entrenched at all at this point in time," Flynn said.

"Negotiations are tough … we’re hoping that if we can get cooler heads to prevail then all of these issues can be sorted out at the table."

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903, which represents the striking workers, hinted that the two sides were not that far apart on Tuesday despite the fact the university’s last offer was roundly rejected.

Striking workers, meanwhile, set up a picket line at the main gates of the Keele Campus.

The strike marks the fourth labour disruption at York since 1997. The last time the university’s teaching assistants walked off the job the university was shut down for three months.