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There were traffic and teaching disruptions today at 3 University of Toronto campuses as 6 000 teaching and lab assistants started marching in picket lines. The CUPE union local had a tentative deal with the University on friday, but it was soundly rejected by members.

In a statement the University says it is disappointed; that it offered a generous increase to $45.73 an hour, up from about $42 dollars an hour. The union says TA wages add to about 15 000 a year far below the low income cutoff, and it argues that its members do 60% of the teaching work. University of Toronto professors, according to the sunshine list, make about $110 000 to $160 000 dollars a year.

The minister responsible for universities says he can’t intervene; ” we urge both sides to come to an agreement so students can get back to class ASAP.” “They get paid enough money.”

Classes are going ahead, but students say it’s not the same. U of T teaching assistants last went on strike in 2000 it lasted three and a half weeks