UWOFA to hold strike vote

UWOFA will hold a strike vote Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 1. Rotating polling stations will be set up on Western's campus. No times or locations have been set for the votes.

A press release on the UWOFA website states the recommendation to organize a strike vote is not a reaction to poor financial offers from administration, but rather what they say are proposals that directly affect faculty research and teaching.

"Strike votes are very common, strikes are very rare. This is a normal part of bargaining," James Compton, UWOFA president said in an interview.

"The vote is not about money," he adds. "It really is a reaction to the proposals that taken together we feel pose a threat to academic freedom and to the institution of tenure, as well that have formed a management technique of micromanagement that are foreign to Canadian university culture and best standards."

While a positive vote would provide the union with the mandate to call a strike, it does not mean a strike must happen. According to the press release, UWOFA has held three strike votes in recent years without going on strike.

At UWOFA’s request, the Ministry of Labour has appointed a conciliator, whose role it is to work with both parties to try to reach a collective agreement. Talks are scheduled to resume Oct. 5, and further conciliation is scheduled later in October.

“It is important to note that holding a strike vote is normal in the process of collective bargaining and does not necessarily mean there will be a strike,” says Helen Connell, Associate Vice-President of Communications & Public Affairs. “Talks are set to continue in early October, and administration is continuing to work hard to reach an agreement that will enable Western to continue to recruit and retain the best faculty and staff and fulfill our teaching and research mission while providing an outstanding academic experience for our students.”

For negotiation updates, click on Contract Negotiations @ Western at www.uwo.ca.