Hardship Fund for CUPE 3903 Members

CUPE 3903 STRIKE HARDSHIP FUND FAQ

CUPE 3903 recognizes that members will experience hardship due to the loss of
wages during the strike and therefore has set up a system for adding to the
strike pay. A strike hardship fund committee has been set up to disburse needs
based bursaries as well as interest free loans in the event that the strike
continues into the next scheduled pay period.

Q. Who is eligible?
A. All CUPE 3903 members who actively support the strike through picketing or
through alternative picket duties and who experience hardship as a result of
the strike are encouraged to apply. Those who are unable to picket and have
not already done so are encouraged to enquire about alternative picket duties
(alternativeduty.3903@gmail.com).

Q. What is the difference between the bursary and the interest free loan?
A. CUPE 3903 will be able to offer members bursaries to alleviate hardship
during the strike. If after receiving bursary funds members still experience
hardship they will be able to apply for an interest free loan. This loan will
be owed to CUPE 3903 and will become payable at the end of the strike and only
after members have started to receive their wages. The strike benefits
committee will bring forward a proposal at an upcoming GMM for the membership’s
approval that will suggest bursary amounts to be disbursed and to be set aside
for loans.

Q. What if I experience hardship before the next pay date?
A. The CUPE 3903 Ways and Means Committee will continue to process applications
until November 17th and members are encouraged to apply to this committee.

Q. How can I apply?
A. Applications for bursaries and interest free loans will be available on the
CUPE 3903 website, at the CUPE 3903 temporary office at 635 Petrolia Road (East of the York U Campus) and at picket lines as early as November 17th 2008.

Q. How are the funds disbursed?
A. The Strike Benefits committee will be meeting on a regular basis after November
17th 2008 to adjudicate and disburse funds and process interest free loans.
Once the funds are ready for pick up the applicants will be notified.

Q. Is this a confidential process?
A. Yes. Committee members maintain the strictest possible confidence regarding
applications.

Q. What do I need to apply?
A. Similar to CUPE 3903’s Ways and Means fund, members will only be asked to
offer a minimal amount of details concerning their financial status and needs.
The committee’s priority is to fund members through this process in an
equitable manner, with as little delay as possible.

Q. Is there a limit on how many times I can apply?
A. NO. Unlike the Ways and Means Funds, members are able to apply for these
funds as needed. Receiving funds in November will NOT make you ineligible to
receive funds the following month.

Q. What about Childcare?
A. CUPE 3903 will maintain its childcare fund and therefore members who have to
incur childcare expense due to the strike will be able to request funds for
this purpose. To enquire about alternative picket duties and child friendly
picket lines please contact alternativeduty.3903@gmail.com.

Q. What about transportation costs?
A. Bursary funds will be disbursed based on need and transportation is one of
the many reasons that members may apply to the hardship fund.

Q. What about my regular CUPE 3903 Health Benefits?
A. The CUPE 3903 Executive announced on November 5th that they will ensure our
members’ benefits continue during the strike.


If you have any other questions please direct them to:
cupe3903strikebenefits@gmail.com