The Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) has requested a no-board report that will put staff in a position for a lock-out or strike in the first half of October.
LUFA made the request following a full morning with a Ministry of Labour conciliator that saw no movement from the University of Sudbury to address the issues of job security and pay equity for faculty, said a press release issued by the union Sept. 16.
“Faculty at the University of Sudbury are paid significantly less than their colleagues at Laurentian University and that gap continues to grow,” said LUFA president Fabrice Colin. “This issue has been raised in every round of bargaining since the faculty unionized in 2002 and the university has yet to address it seriously.”
The faculty association says after some recognition of the principle of parity in the last round of negotiations, the university is refusing to deal with this issue. Faculty working conditions are student learning conditions, and LUFA says that it's vitally important the university invest more in the faculty teaching in the classroom.
Agreement about job security for sessionals is also outstanding.
“Our sessional members never know whether they are going to have another job after their contract is up,” said Chief Negotiator Réal Fillion. “This makes it incredibly hard for them to make long term plans for their families and decide whether they can afford to stay in Sudbury.”
A news release indicated that LUFA is committed to reaching a fair agreement, but is ready to take job action if required. The faculty association is hopeful that the university will engage on these issues in mediation and avoid any labour disruption.
