CUPE 2361, representing custodial, maintenance, grounds and arena staff at Western University have been on strike since August 30th, 2024. These workers are critical to the day-to-day operations of the University, ensuring that the campus remains clean, safe, and well-maintained.
On Friday, University administrators began circulating requests for UWOFA Members to “remove any waste in private offices and areas to the waste and recycling stations that are currently available in the public hallways, during this labour disruption.”
UWOFA President, Johanna Weststar, wrote immediately to the senior administration at Western stating that:
“UWOFA takes this as a formal request for UWOFA Members to do the work of striking CUPE 2361 workers and we hereby officially and collectively decline under clause 5 in the No Strike or Lock-out Article in both of our collective agreements.”
Clause 5 explicitly states that “Members have the right to decline to perform the normal duties of striking or locked-out employees of the Employer during a legal Strike by another Bargaining Unit of employees of the Employer or during any Lock-out of another Bargaining Unit by the Employer.”
We requested that the administration cease in making any further requests to our Members to undermine the CUPE 2361 strike. However, our Members have continued to receive messages which suggest or intimate that we could handle our own garbage. This is a shameful and underhanded attempt to pressure you to do work that is not your own and divide the workers on this campus. We are actively in the process of filing a policy grievance on this issue.
CUPE 2361 workers are on strike for a decent living wage and the staffing complement necessary to properly care for this campus. The more of us who stand in solidarity with them, the shorter their strike will need to be. Our collective strength and respect for our collective agreements are vital in ensuring that all workers at Western University are treated fairly.
We continue to expect that Members use their garbage bins and the University space as usual and decline to perform any work normally carried out by CUPE 2361 Members. This includes Members who may volunteer at Care Hubs and those who may be hosting in-person events that require clean-up. Report any problems with overfull or unsanitary bins or lack of event clean-up to your Dean. We have been informed that Facilities Management has assigned a senior staff member as a lead contact for each faculty to attend to such concerns.
Please see our updated FAQ for details. Continue to send any Employer requests to outreach@uwofa.ca.
Take action now by signing the CUPE 2361 petition here and joining the picket line in support of our fellow workers. We are stronger together.