CUPE 2361 - Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Western has plans in place to ensure that residence move-in is as smooth as possible for students and their families. That said, with pickets expected at various entry points to campus, students are encouraged to give themselves extra time arriving to their move-in time as they may be delayed coming onto campus.

Western’s Housing division will communicate move-in details directly to students and parents.

Supporting students is a key priority for Western during a labour disruption. Western has plans in place to ensure that Orientation Week activities run as smoothly as possible.

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.

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.

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.