Newsstand: July 7, 2015

There's labour in the air. In the news today: an arbitrator rules in favour of U of T, the school board and Ontario government aren't on speaking terms (and likely won't be all summer), and taxi drivers promise that, actually, no, they won't stage a massive protests during the Pan Am Games.

By David Hains • Illustration by Matthew Daley

An arbitrator has ruled in favour of the University of Toronto in a dispute with CUPE 3902, Unit 1, which represents approximately 6,000 teaching assistants and other non-tenured academic staff at Canada’s largest university. The dispute centred on the liability the university assumes for a tuition assistance and a bursary fund, and which proposals and agreements discussed during the March strike would take effect. The arbitrator ruled in favour of U of T, which effectively caps their contributions and liabilities, and could leave a funding shortfall in the event that underlying assumptions for projected growth prove incorrect.

No news is bad news for the Ontario government and two teachers’ unions. The Star reports that there are no scheduled talks throughout the summer between the two parties, and school boards warn the lack of progress could threaten the academic year. While work stoppages are a possibility, more likely is work-to-rule, which could see extra-curriculars curtailed or eliminated until a labour deal is reached.

The taxi industry has promised that they will not strike or protest during the Pan Am Games. There had been musings about the possibility of a disruption as the licensed taxi industry grows increasingly frustrated with Uber—and particularly ride-share service UberX—flouting the law. However, a demonstration has been taken off the table in a good-faith gesture as the mayor tries to bring the taxi industry, Uber, and councillors together to reach a compromise by fall’s first council meeting.