York University may witness another strike this year - and it could happen with the return of classes in the fall.

Members of the York University Faculty Association (YUFA) announced on Thursday that they are preparing for a potential strike or lockout after stating that the administration "has threatened to unilaterally change" working conditions for many staff members.

Eli Perkins, president of YUFA, said in a statement: "The last thing we want is to be on the picket line instead of in our classrooms. We are doing everything we can to secure a fair deal that protects the quality of education we can provide to our students."

YUFA is the certified bargaining agent for about 1,700 full-time faculty members, librarians, archivists, as well as postdoctoral fellows at the university.

The association says that one of the main concerns for both faculty and students alike is the increased class sizes for undergraduate students. According to YUFA, the Glendon and Keele campuses of York University are experiencing student numbers that are ten times higher in some classes due to recent restructuring.

Perkins said, "Faculty members are deeply concerned about providing the best possible educational experience. This is not possible when you suddenly have ten times the number of students."

The professional association also states that four faculty members have been terminated since late July, while others are being incentivized to retire.

Art Reading, YUFA's vice president for internal affairs, said: "The university claims it does not have the money to maintain reasonable class sizes, but the Ontario Auditor General found that York is financially sustainable, with net assets of $1.9 billion at the end of 2022-2023." Following the report, the university accepted the recommendations and agreed that York is "financially sustainable".

Reading stated, "At the same time, the administration is pouring money into new buildings and projects instead of focusing on the basics of teaching and learning."

A university spokesperson confirmed that it has continued to meet with YUFA since it was in a strike or lockout position on August 2. The two parties agreed to have Eli Gidyalov mediate in order to reach a collective agreement renewal, and they have so far met on August 7, 11, 12, and 13.

"Progress has been made on some issues over the past three days, and the university remains committed to reaching a collective agreement renewal with YUFA," stated a message sent to CTV News Toronto.

In YUFA's negotiation update on Tuesday, the association said that some issues have been resolved, but many "key matters" still need to be discussed.

If no agreement is reached, York University could witness its second strike this year.

In February, nearly 3,000 contract faculty, instructors, graduate research and teaching assistants, and part-time librarians went on strike for weeks to highlight concerns about "affordability, job security, and workplace equity."

There are still two negotiation sessions remaining between the York University Students' Union and the university, scheduled to take place over the weekend.