On The Line - Strike Stories

In this extra-long final episode, picketers show us what CUPE 3903 solidarity is all about. On the last days of picketing, our interviewers asked individual picketers from nineteen different departments what they would miss most now that the strike was mostly over. Picketers commented that bonding, community, camaraderie, and warm relationships developed on the picket line would be missed the most. All union members are looking forward to getting back to their students, the classroom, and their research. Efforts are already underway to ensure continued solidarity across the union to further strengthen the organizational unity that was demonstrated during the strike.

Shout out to Shawn DeSouza Coelho for the podcast concept.

#WeAreYork

In this episode, Fatima talks to Sydney of the Strike Pay Committee from the 8th Line, an integral picket line comprised of many members working in the background to support all striking members. They discuss the volume of work involved in turning around hundreds of picketers' pay for their weekly work and the volume of discrepancies in the forms submitted. Some instructions for picketers when submitting their pay forms are provided.

In this episode, Fatima interviews Frankie, a Unit 1 rank-and-file member on the 8th Line, an integral picket line comprised of many members working in the background to support all striking members. Frankie discusses the Hardship Fund administration during the strike and provides instructions on how to apply.

#WeAreYork - visit WeAreYork.ca for more information.

Looking for ways to support us? Looking to DONATE? CLICK HERE:

https://3903.cupe.ca/2024/03/08/support-striking-workers-at-york-university/

In this episode, Khaoula and Kris interview members of the GEO Food Commons. GEO Food Commons is an initiative developed by students from the Geography department who recognized the need to address the food insecurity faced by many grad students. It is a place of care, community, and world-building. During the strike, it was the first of the Mutual Aid projects held at Founders Line. GEO Food Commons will remain accessible to students after the strike is over.

#WeAreYork - visit WeAreYork.ca for more information.

Looking for ways to support us? Looking to DONATE? CLICK HERE:

https://3903.cupe.ca/2024/03/08/support-striking-workers-at-york-university/

.In part 2 of the episode on Police Surveillance and Intimidation on the Picket Lines, Justyna, President of Queen's University Union,, tells us that an injury to one is an injury to all. Vince expands this belief by telling us that we need to see solidarity across all lines of the union, regardless of race or class. Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario, joins the March 4th rally against police oppression. All fights for justice are guaranteed in the Canadian constitution. Eve asks, "Why are the Cops here?", Their presence makes us angry and always will. The erosion of police neutrality is repeatedly demonstrated by Picketers' experience of the open aggression on the university campus. Fred Hahn sends accolades to the success of CUPE 3903 as a beacon that pushes for better for all union members.

#WeAreYork - visit WeAreYork.ca for more information.

Looking for ways to support us? Looking to DONATE? CLICK HERE:

https://3903.cupe.ca/2024/03/08/support-striking-workers-at-york-university/

In this episode, Fatima, Khaoula and Kris cover a review of the March 4th police brutality and unfair arrest of peaceful CUPE3903 picketers through interviews with witnesses and fellow picketers. We hear from Desmond Cole, a journalist and community activist with No Pride in Policing and Scholars Strike Canada, and Patrick Teed, a Unit 1 member and student in Social Political Thought, on the police's transgressions and the ongoing oppression of Indigenous, racialized minorities, and those who express Palestinian solidarity.

#WeAreYork - visit WeAreYork.ca for more information.

Looking for ways to support us? Looking to DONATE? CLICK HERE:

https://3903.cupe.ca/2024/03/08/support-striking-workers-at-york-university/

In Episode 3, Fatima and Khaoula interview Stephanie and Kayla, members of Radium Girls, a play about the commercialization of science, the pursuit of both health and wealth, the power of the underdog, and the fierce injustice laborers in America have faced and continue to face in the present. York's Department of Theatre and Performance has included a special solidarity statement to CUPE 3903 in the run of their performance of this very relevant play at the Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre at York University.

For more details on the play and to get tickets, see: https://3903.cupe.ca/2024/03/20/radium-girls/

Visit WeAreYork.ca for more information about the strike.

In this episode, Shawn speaks with Shreya, a Political Science PhD student and TA, about being on the picket line, her love of academia, working with her CUPE colleagues, and her belief in fighting for fair wages and job stability. Visit WeAreYork.ca for more information about the strike.

This is our first episode! Shawn speaks with Johnathan on the picket line about D&D, thoughts about the strike, precarity, and what's at stake during the strike. Visit WeAreYork.ca for more information about the strike.