The Four Best and Worst Ways the Strike Affected Student Caucus As a Student Caucus representative and 1L student, I found myself thrown into discussions in a context I hadn’t contemplated in my legal education: a labour dispute. In my personal political adventure on Student Caucus in the midst of crisis, I partook in Osgoode’s quest for exemption from the academic activity ban and for the holy...
Per jus ad justitiam. Through law to justice. So reads the Latin phrase on the regal crest of Osgoode Hall Law School. I have always understood that phrase quite literally—the law ought to be used to pursue justice. There are some, however, who seem to interpret it to mean that our understanding of the law ought to inform our understanding of justice. This puts the cart before the horse—and it is...
We are a group of Osgoode Hall Law School alumni writing to you in regards to the CUPE 3903 strike at York University. We wish to address both the administration and students in voicing our support for CUPE 3903 and the law students who are refusing to cross the picket lines in solidarity. Our Message to the Administration of Osgoode Hall Law School Why we support CUPE 3903 and Osgoode Hall Law...
The Travails of Resuming Law School on a Struck Campus Recent developments at Osgoode Hall are conspiring to introduce an unseemly innovation on 16 March 2015: two-tiered legal education. But first, a brief recap on how we got to this point. On 6 March, following four days of strike action, CUPE 3903 leaders agreed to put the York administration’s latest offer to a ratification vote. The offer...
Which Side Are You On? Negotiations between York administration and the university’s education workers union, Local 3903 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, have not yet resulted in a new collective agreement. A strike may begin as soon as March 3rd. If that happens, it will have a serious impact on all York students, including us at Osgoode. CUPE 3903 represents over 3700 education...
Reflections on the Impending Strike at York York University and CUPE 3903 are moving closer and closer to both a deal and an impasse. The pursuit of one entails the advance of its opposite. From this paradox emerges the absolute uncertainty of the whole situation, a source of great anxiety and, for some, great exhilaration too. On Monday, March 2nd, members of the union will vote on the...