Unions plan to hit picket lines at Concordia, Western

Students returning to school this year at Concordia University and Western University may be met with picket lines. The Concordia University Professional Employees Union—which represents 600 members— announced plans to begin a strike on the first day of classes, scheduled for September 3. The union adopted a two-week strike mandate in the spring after negotiations with the university stalled over teleworking policies. At Western, members of CUPE Local 2361–which represents 330 trades, custodial, and landscaping staff–voted 99% in favour of a strike mandate after discussions with the university regarding fair pay reached an impasse. According to CTV News, a walkout at Western could occur as early as August 30.