UWOFA negotiations continue

 

In the event of a strike, which could begin at midnight tonight, all classes, with only a few exceptions, will be cancelled. Continuing Studies programming and some clinical classes in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry would continue. Labs, tutorials, tests and mid-term exams will also be cancelled.

“Our goal is to try to give our community as much information as we can about what they can expect in the event of a labour disruption,” said Helen Connell, Associate Vice-President of Communications & Public Affairs. “As soon as we have any new information we can share we will post it on Western’s homepage. Our negotiations website will have more detailed information as well as answers to dozens of frequently asked questions, specifically aimed at different groups on campus.”

Students can be alerted to any updates posted to the negotiations website by joining Western’s official Facebook and Twitter pages.

If there is a strike, a labour relations phone line for students and parents will be also be available. A special email address specifically for labour-related questions is also being established. It is labour-questions@uwo.ca.

“Some questions may be difficult to answer,” says Connell, who explains that contingency plans, exam and test rescheduling and timetables will all depend on the length of a strike.”  

“We will do our very best to provide answers where we can, and reassure people that as we are able to provide more detailed information, we will do so.”

Although students will not be attending classes if there is a faculty labour disruption, plans are in progress for programming. Collaborative efforts are underway with Housing, the Student Success Centre, the University Students' Council and Athletics. Those activities may include information sessions on learning, wellness, leadership, off-campus housing, careers and resume writing; community service learning experiences; sports tournaments; coffee houses; films; guest speakers, etc.  

Should there be a strike tomorrow, it is expected that traffic flow entering the university will be slower than normal. Members of the community who are not travelling to Western would be advised to stay away from the university. Those coming to campus should give themselves extra time.

Negotiations with The University of Western Ontario Staff Association (UWOSA) will continue on Thursday, Nov. 4, and a meeting with members is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 5 afternoon. UWOSA will be in a strike position as of 12:01 on Thursday, Nov. 4.