Hundreds of USW Local 1998 members rallied across the University of Toronto’s three campuses to call on the university administration to respect their voices through the collective bargaining process.
Approximately 500 members attended the St. George campus rally, with another 70 gathering at the university’s Mississauga campus and another 35 at the Scarborough campus. Members expressed concerns about the university’s attack on the current alternate work provision in the CBAs and its effects on workloads, accessibility, caregiving responsibilities and work-life balance.
Local 1998 President John Ankenman said the strong turnout demonstrated how deeply members care about the issue. Following the St. George rally, union representatives met with senior university administrators and delivered an open letter, campaign materials and research documenting members’ workload concerns.
Local 1998 member Loredana Polidoro spoke at the rally about her experience with alternate work arrangements and how workers successfully maintained university operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Polidoro emphasized that members are not opposed to a vibrant campus community but want workplace decisions to recognize their individual circumstances and contributions.
Union Steward Vaish Vijayan emphasized that accessibility does not automatically equal inclusion, describing the extensive documentation some workers must provide to obtain formal accommodation.
“Accessibility should not require workers to struggle to have their needs recognized,” said Vijayan. “When members face barriers or believe their rights are being violated, they should reach out to their union for support.”
USW District 6 Director Kevon Stewart said the central issue is ensuring that workplace changes respect negotiated rights.
“Decisions affecting where and how our members work must honour the collective agreement and involve meaningful consultation with the union,” said Stewart. “Workers deserve to have their voices heard, and any changes must be addressed through the collective bargaining process – and not be imposed unilaterally.”
Local 1998 plans to continue engaging members as bargaining progresses and advocating for fair, accessible and collectively negotiated workplace policies.
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