September 1, 2017
The Laurentian University Staff Union (LUSU) and Laurentian University have reached a new collective agreement. Union members voted 93% in favour of the 3-year contract extension negotiated a full 10-months before the LUSU’s current agreement was due to expire.
“This agreement is good news for our employees and the entire Laurentian community. I want to thank our partners at LUSU for their hard work and cooperation,” said Dr. Pierre Zundel, Laurentian University Interim President and Vice Chancellor. “Reaching this agreement almost a year before the expiry of the current collective agreement reflects both the quality of the relationship between the University and LUSU, and our mutual interest in organizational stability as we finalize the University’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan.”
The 3-year contract extension will remain in effect until June 30, 2021. Under the terms of this agreement, LUSU members will receive economic wage increases of 1.8% on July 1, 2018, 1.5% on July 1, 2019 and 1.5% on July 1, 2020. Members will increase pension contributions above the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) from 8.2% to 9.9%. Laurentian will continue to equally share the cost of pension contributions. New workforce management language is incorporated to reflect the University’s commitment to no redundancies and allow for flexibility in transferring incumbents to other positions.
“LUSU members are proud of their work to ensure quality operations across every aspect of the Laurentian campus,” said Tom Fenske LUSU President. “We are also proud of the solid relationship that has developed between our union and the University administration. This relationship has allowed us to complete the latest contract process well ahead of schedule and we all look forward to continuing that partnership to the benefit of the entire Laurentian community.”
LUSU represents approximately 280 staff members at Laurentian University. They include: clerical and secretarial employees, technologists, technicians, computer staff, maintenance personnel, library staff including library technicians and assistants, operating engineers, printing services employees and security.
About Laurentian University
Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.
Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.
With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics, rural and northern children’s health, and occupational health and safety.