The University of Western Ontario Staff Association (UWOSA) and the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA) each requested a no board report from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, which will set a firm date for legal strike in early November.
Once the ministry issues the no board report there is a 17-day waiting period before a strike or lockout can occur. A no board request does not mean that negotiations have ended or that they have reached an impasse.
The University of Western Ontario has been in negotiations with UWOSA since the end of May working to achieve a new collective agreement. UWOSA represents about 1,000 employees engaged in administrative and technical roles across the university. Their contract expired on June 30.
“It’s all part of the normal process of bargaining,” says Stephanie Macleod, UWOSA vice-president. “This does not mean we are going out on strike; it’s the last thing we want. We really do want to achieve a collective agreement and we do feel that this is possible.”
UWOSA and the university return to the negotiating table Oct. 25 and Nov. 1. The next meeting with the conciliator is set for Nov. 4.
On Oct. 13, UWOFA asked the provincially appointed conciliator to file a no board report to the Ontario Ministry of Labour. UWOFA, which represents about 1,700 full- and part-time faculty, has been without a contract since June 30.
Further negotiation dates in October and November have been set for UWOFA and the administration. UWOFA will be in a legal strike position by the first week of November.
UWOFA cites unresolved issues including performance management techniques governing academic responsibilities, conflict of interest and conflict commitment, annual performance evaluation, sabbatical leave and discipline, as threatening academic freedom and tenure. UWOFA also expresses concerns about the proposed compensation package being below other Ontario universities.
“We’re hopeful that calling for the no board report will bring a renewed focus to the bargaining table,” says James Compton, UWOFA president.
UWOSA and UWOFA members play an important role in achieving the academic and research mission of the university, and Western’s administration is hopeful an agreement will be reached, says Helen Connell, Communications and Public Affairs associate vice-president.
“Having taken a strike vote, we are not surprised that UWOFA and UWOSA have each taken the next step to request a no board report,” she says.
“Western has the best faculty and staff in the country and the administration is continuing negotiations with both UWOFA and UWOSA. We remain hopeful that we can still reach negotiated settlements with both these employee groups.”
The university is putting a number of contingency plans in place which would be implemented in the event a labour disruption appears imminent.
“Our students are the reason this university exists and we have contingency plans in place for any eventuality. In any labour negotiations, neither side wants a strike. Right now we are focusing our energy on reaching a negotiated settlement,” says Connell.
Check for updated contract information by logging onto the Contract Negotiations @ Western website at:
communications.uwo.ca/contract_negotiations/index.htm