A byelection for the position of Communications & Recording Secretary (C.R.S.) will be held on Friday, 15 February.  Information about the position can be found in the Local’s Bylaws.

Information on the two candidates and poll locations/times can be found below.

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

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KATE BRENNAN

Since coming to the University of Toronto nearly 7 years ago, I have been an active and engaged member of Unit 1—a steward of several years, a past bargaining committee chair, a participant on subcommittees and ad hoc committees, and a member who has collaborated with others to propose several improvements to our Union’s culture.

These improvements came from motions:
• to hire a staff member dedicated to organizing and member education.
• to update our communications technologies so that we can easily circulate
information amongst the membership.
• to change the way large meetings are structured in order to ensure that member participation is unencumbered.

I’ve seen a lot happen in our Union, including the 2015 strike, so I know how clear and consistent communication contributes to building the bonds of solidarity and how poor communication can set us all back. I also know how inter-unit solidarity can make gains at the bargaining table, and that doesn’t happen without honest if not difficult conversations.

The Communications and Recording Secretary fulfills an important role within our Union, one which is often overlooked but is crucial to our future success. Though the majority of our Membership changes every few years, thus posing significant challenges, the C&R Secretary can help to build institutional memory by thoroughly recording and archiving information so that it is easily accessible to future Union members.

It would be my privilege to serve our Union as your Communications and Recording Secretary, should that be your determination.

FANG XI LIN

I believe that accessibility is a crucial pillar of a strong member-driven organization such as our union. As the current pro-tem communications officer of CUPE Local 3902, I have been working tirelessly to provide accessible communications to our members. I proposed a reorganization of the Local's Digest for readability, which has been in effect since the end of January. I took the initiative, as a member of the AccessCUPE committee, to develop accessibility policies and guidelines for the Local to take it above and beyond the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Furthermore, I find that the Local's social media remains an unfortunately underused but potentially powerful tool to engage and mobilize our members. I will be working towards developing social media guidelines and forming a working group to develop an consistent social media presence to engage the membership.

For the reasons outlined above, I believe I am the best candidate for the position of Communications and Recording Secretary.

POLL LOCATIONS

All polls are open on February 15, 2019 at the times shown below.

SAINT GEORGE CAMPUS (9AM-5PM):
-Union Office (3rd floor, 208 Bloor St. W.)
-Robarts Library: South Portico (2nd Floor)
-Sid Smith: Lobby
-Kelly Library lobby
-Gerstein Lobby
-Galbraith Lobby

UTM (10AM-2PM):
-CCT Link

UTSC (10AM-2PM):
-BV Hallway