Last-minute negotiations were successful and a strike has been avoided by 36 professors at the University of Sudbury, meaning more than 500 students returned to class Monday morning without a labour disruption.
A three-year contract was reached following negotiations between the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA), the Board of Regents for the University of Sudbury.
The 24 full-time and 12 part-time professors at the University of Sudbury were expected to approve the new deal at a meeting scheduled for Monday morning.
Real Fillion, chair of the union's bargaining team, said he expects the membership to vote overwhelmingly in favour of the new deal.
Key issues such as wages, recognition of the union and its membership and delivery of programs were all dealt with in the new deal, he said.
Andrii Krawchuk, president of the University of Sudbury, said he was confident a deal would be reached to avoid a labour dispute and believes the new three-year contract was a good one for the school and its professors.
"Negotiations with the Professors' Association of the University of Sudbury have been successful. We have reached a tentative agreement, and look forward to ratification in the days ahead," he said. "This is truly a happy day, both because there will be no interruption of the school year, and because an atmosphere of congeniality and respect has been maintained throughout the process."
