Collective Bargaining Updates
January 20, 2021
Bargaining Update
The bargaining committees for the University and for the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) met on Monday, January 18, 2021. Bargaining remains on-going and the parties will be determining future meeting dates.
From the University Bargaining Team
January 13, 2021
Collective Bargaining Resuming
On Monday, January 18, 2021 the bargaining committees for the University and for the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) will meet to continue collective bargaining. It is the University’s goal through this process to negotiate a collective agreement for our faculty and librarians that reflects the important role they play in our students’ lives, while also reflecting the unprecedented times related to COVID-19, the financial situation facing the University, and the work required to position the University for future success and sustainability.
Since bargaining commenced in September, the University continues to have significant financial challenges, highlighting the importance of working with our labour partners, Government and the community to find realistic and sustainable solutions for these challenges.
The University will endeavor to keep all stakeholders updated on the progress of faculty collective bargaining.
From the University Bargaining Team
October 7, 2020
Collective Bargaining Next Steps
The bargaining teams for the University and LUFA met for the last two days with the assistance of Mediator William Kaplan. This is in an effort to negotiate a renewal of the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) collective agreement. While we have made some progress, the parties are in the process of arranging future meeting dates with Kaplan.
These have been challenging times for Laurentian University. We have worked hard as a community to address the financial challenges brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic and our pre-existing structural deficit of $7M, as well as the additional $5-10M impact of the pandemic to date. For the University of key importance is working with our community, government and our labour partners to find solutions for our challenges.
From the University Bargaining Team
October 2, 2020
Collective Bargaining Continues
The bargaining teams for the University and LUFA met on October 1 and 2, 2020 to continue their discussions towards reaching a negotiated renewal of the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) collective agreement.
As part of the bargaining process, the University and LUFA have proactively agreed to work with mediator William Kaplan, who has a long history of successfully working with these parties. The parties are starting their work with him on October 5 and 6, 2020.
The University is confident that working with Mediator Kaplan will assist in achieving a negotiated renewal collective agreement without a labour disruption. Further bargaining updates will be provided next week.
From the University Bargaining Team
September 30, 2020
An Update on Collective Bargaining
Over the course of September, the bargaining committees for the University and LUFA met four times in an effort to reach a negotiated renewal collective agreement. We remain committed to the successful completion of bargaining without a labour disruption.
These are challenging times as the University looks to support our students both academically and with their student experience, while addressing the financial challenges brought on by the global pandemic and our pre-existing structural deficit. We are optimistic that we will achieve an agreement that balances the critical role of our faculty in our institution with the financial realities we face.
The University has had a successful start to Fall semester and our enrolment as of the first day of class has been on target. We applaud the efforts of faculty and staff in responding to the challenges of COVID-19 to continue to provide the best possible learning experience for Laurentian students.
That being said, to be able to continue to provide the best student experience and for Laurentian to flourish, we need to partner with the Laurentian community, government and our labour partners to find solutions for our $7M structural deficit as well as the additional $5-10M impact of the pandemic to date.
The Bargaining Teams will continue to meet on October 1st and 2nd in an effort to address these issues.
From the University Bargaining Team
September 11, 2020
Launch of Collective Bargaining
On Friday, September 11, 2020 the bargaining committees for the University and for the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA), the union representing the University’s faculty commenced collective bargaining. While the bargaining this week was scheduled to commence over two days, starting on September 10, the committees took a pause to recognize and participate in the #ScholarStrike, two days of action to protest systemic violence against Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in Canada, the United States, and globally.
Bargaining will recommence on September 23, 2020. It is the University’s goal through this process to negotiate a collective agreement for our faculty that reflects the important role they play in our student lives, while also reflecting both the unprecedented times related to COVID-19 and the current financial situation of the University.
Over the coming months, the University will endeavor to keep all stakeholders updated on the progress of faculty collective bargaining.
From The University Bargaining Team