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CUPE 2361 - Frequently Asked Questions
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 2361) represents Western’s Building Services and Facilities Operations employees – caretakers, landscape services and trades workers. Despite best efforts, negotiations between Western and CUPE 2361 have failed to produce a settlement and its members are in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m., Friday, August 30.
Western has detailed plans in place, and we are committed to ensuring the fall term runs as smoothly as possible. The university is open, move-in and Orientation Week activities and all other academic and research activities will continue.
The following list of frequently asked questions has been prepared to help keep students, parents, employees, and broader community members informed.
Western’s Building Services and Facilities Operations employees within Facilities Management who are represented by CUPE 2361 are on strike as of August 30 at 12:01 a.m.
The health and safety of the Western community and supporting our students will be our top priorities.
Detailed plans are in place – the university will remain open, and all academic and research activities will continue.
Western is committed to ensuring the fall term runs as smoothly as possible, including move-in and Orientation Week activities.
During the strike the university will remain open, and all academic and research activities will continue.
The health and safety of the Western community and supporting our students will be our top priorities.
Western has plans in place to ensure the fall term runs as smoothly as possible.
The university will remain open, and all academic and research activities will continue.
The health and safety of the Western community and supporting our students will be our top priorities. The university has plans in place to ensure the fall term runs as smoothly as possible, including move-in and Orientation Week activities.
Yes, those providing temporary supports have undergone police information checks, Western health and safety training, and orientation on Western’s policies, that are important in providing services to our community, particularly to our students.
During a labour disruption, London Transit buses do not enter Western property. That said, all regular bus stops on the roads surrounding campus (Western Road, Richmond Street, and Windermere Road) run normally during a labour disruption, and LTC buses travel to London Health Sciences Centre (University Hospital site). Shuttle services between Western and the Affiliated University Colleges and Paratransit will enter campus via Perth Drive. Riders should give themselves extra time.
A full listing of “Detours and Stop Closures” can be found on the LTC website.
This downloadable map shows all active bus stops on the periphery of Western’s Campus. The map also includes a QR code that provides the most reliable arrival times and detour details.
Picketers are legally permitted to:
- Carry signs stating the nature of their dispute;
- Speak to people entering the property about their concerns;
- Ask people entering the property to join the picket line.
However, picketers are not legally permitted to:
- Block entrances to the university;
- Use force, threats or threatening gestures;
- Construct barriers to block access to the university;
- Engage in unlawful behaviour;
- Picket on university property.
When passing through picket lines, you should:
- Be courteous if delayed or questioned by picketers;
- Avoid arguments and confrontations;
- If challenged, politely express your intention to exercise your legal right to enter campus;
- Contact Western Special Constable Service at 519-661-3300 should any safety concerns arise.
Students and employees should allow extra time coming to or leaving campus whether they are walking, biking, or driving. Motorists who do not have a specific reason to be on or around main campus are encouraged to avoid the area during a strike.
Striking workers have the legal right to picket on city property which includes the entrances to some of Western’s parking lots. Western Special Constable Service is working collaboratively with London Police Service who have jurisdiction over city streets, to address issues as they arise. The safety and security of all members of our community is our top priority.
Please continue allowing yourself extra time coming to and leaving Western. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
For the safety of picketers, students, employees and visitors to our campus, we have continued road closures to decrease the volume of vehicles that would proceed through picket lines and cut through campus. Upwards of 40 per cent of traffic coming to campus during peak times is cut-through. The risk of injury increases when drivers attempt to proceed through picket lines or bypass existing traffic. Closing campus roads helps us manage this risk.
Those coming to and departing our campus parking lots, and drop-off locations should continue to plan for delays and leave extra time.Western Special Constables Service (WSCS) will continue to monitor issues and adjust our plan for campus road closures.
WSCS is working collaboratively with London Police Service, who have jurisdiction over city streets, to address issues regarding traffic and pickets as they arise.
More information on campus road closures is available online.
All employees not in a striking bargaining unit are required to attend work as scheduled.
Please speak to your supervisor if you are having any issues that are related to the strike. This FAQ page includes helpful information on being prepared when coming to campus and while crossing picket lines in the event of a strike.
No. A strike by Western University employees does not affect classes, exams or operations at Huron or King's university colleges.
All clinics at the university are open and appointments will continue as scheduled. Patients are encouraged to give themselves extra time as they may be delayed slightly when coming on to campus.
Please note that during a labour disruption London Transit buses do not enter Western property. That said, all regular bus stops on the roads surrounding campus (Western Road, Richmond Street, and Windermere Road) run normally during a labour disruption, and LTC buses travel to London Health Sciences Centre (University Hospital site).
A full listing of “Detours and Stop Closures” can be found on the LTC website.
Employees represented by CUPE 2361 are working under terms of a contract that ended on June 30, 2024. Negotiations began in May 2024 – while Western views its last offer as being one of the most competitive in our sector, the university remains committed to achieving a mutually agreeable contract.
Updates will be posted on the Contact Negotiations site. Significant updates will be shared on Western’s social media channels. Students, staff and faculty will also receive updates to their Western email accounts.
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