Viewpoints

Issue # 1 / November 1, 2022

Established as directed by a motion of the Board of Representatives in August 2021, Viewpoints is a way for Members to circulate union-related material (broadly understood) to other Members who wish to receive it, which is a feature of democratic unionism. It is open to submissions from any Regular Member about matters relevant to their UMFA colleagues, including but not limited to articles on developments in the field of post-secondary education and the broader labour movement, ideas for strengthening UMFA, reviews, and resource recommendations.

An issue of Viewpoints will be produced and circulated once per month if one or more submissions have been received. Responsibility for Viewpoints lies with the Organizing and Communications Committee (OCC).

In this Issue:

Organizing for Power by Erin Weinberg
Summer Teaching Experience 2022 by Jennifer Doering
Submit an item for our STRIKE issue!
Viewpoints Submission Policy

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Organizing for Power: An empowering 6-week workshop

by Erin Weinberg, English, Theatre, Film & Media

As a newly-hired faculty member in Fall 2021, I was not expecting to spend several weeks of my first semester here on the picket line. Yet, for all the challenges we faced in pivoting into the strike and then back into teaching, I got a lot out of the experience. Starting this job during COVID meant that I was teaching online and had little chance to meet my colleagues; the strike was an unexpected opportunity to meet colleagues from my department as well as from faculties throughout UM’s two campuses.

When I became an online picket leader during the second week of the UMFA strike, I knew that a lot of work went into the job action because we were all exhausted; what I would come to develop in time, though, was a better appreciation for why and exactly how we as a union were able to achieve the goals of our strike. When UMFA members asked if I’d be interested in participating in the union delegation for renowned organizer Jane McAlevey’s “Organizing for Power: Core Fundamentals” workshop this past Spring, I jumped on the opportunity.

Concerned friends asked, “are you sure you want to thrust yourself into an organizing workshop at the end of such a taxing school year?” To me, though, the workshop was a necessary way to process exactly what made the process so taxing and why that fight was absolutely necessary. Hosted through the Rosa Luxembourg Foundation, this 6-week workshop included upwards of 4000 participants from over 70 countries, all through Zoom sessions simultaneously translated into languages including Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, and Spanish. The program was the perfect mix of active and passive: at some points, we could sit back, listen, and learn from McAlevey and guest speakers from unions across the globe; at other times, the UMFA delegation had our own meetings to strategize over the provided thought experiments and to practice having recruitment discussions with union members who are disinclined, anxious, or fearful about getting involved. The most fulfilling aspect of “O4P” was hearing about the struggles and successes of union members and groups deep in the process of becoming a union. We were taught about concepts like identifying organic leaders (people who may not attend many union meetings, but have lots of influence among the members) and the idea that the union is not a “them,” not a body outside of ourselves, but “us”: each of us needs to fight for what we deserve, and we don’t say “thank you” for union participation because the effort we are putting in is self-appreciation: work we put in is to make ourselves a better future.

One of my biggest takeaways from the workshop is that when a union prepares to fight, they must fight to win. It’s not a lesson in trying and seeing who comes out, but rather, organizing with intention, practice, and, of course, deep, nerdy, pencils-and-pens-and-charts-level work. The speakers introduced us to the concept of “structure testing” – keeping records of all the steps that a union takes before going on strike, broken down into the most minute portions to visualize the progress at each stage: attendance at union meetings, attendance at rallies, intention to participate in the strike vote, leading to, of course, the strike vote itself. Why all the record-keeping for seemingly less significant events? Because in order to have a successful strike vote, the union needs to cultivate a super-majority for every event and initiative that comes before it: the kind of numbers that will show the administration that we are a united voice and organized enough to be prepared to march en masse.

Organizing for Power provided me with deeper insights about how and why we were able to win the victories we did and made me appreciate the challenges faced by union members worldwide. Listening to workers in fields ranging from acting to hydroelectric work to nurses to fellow CAUT members, I got a sense for the unique challenges facing each group as well as the factors that don’t change: union-busting rhetoric by employers that want workers to work harder for less support and fewer resources in return. One particularly impactful speech was by a group of bus drivers from Oakland, California. They were expected to quite literally keep a city moving during the early days of COVID, yet they were not provided with safe, clean, consistent bathrooms to use for relieving themselves and washing their hands. It reminded me of how employers made promises about the extra degrees of cleanliness and disinfection that their workplaces would provide during the early days of COVID, yet the full weight of fulfilling that commitment lies with the workers, workers that are not provisioned with the resources they need to get that done. These drivers were given port-o-potties as a means of solving the washroom issue, yet the employer put padlocks on those washrooms, rendering them useless. This talk provided an object lesson on the ways that employers will provide the bare minimum and then expect to be applauded for providing it, not caring if those provisions are woefully insufficient.

In closing, McAlevey’s secret to organizing is no secret: every single worker deserves dignity and every single worker has a voice to call out inequity. The union is “us,” never them: our voices are stronger when we raise them together.

Summer Teaching Experience 2022

by Jennifer Doering, Biological Sciences

A little about the course

I am an instructor within the Department of Biological Sciences. I taught a second-level core course within my department during the Spring/Summer session, with a max enrolment of 100 students. This was also my first-time teaching in-person as I was hired early during the Covid-19 pandemic. This course is often taught in 3 terms (Fall, winter, and spring/summer), as it often has waitlists. The course consisted of 75 mins lectures Monday through Thursday, with 3-hour tutorials Tuesdays and Thursdays across two sections. This meant for Tuesdays and Thursdays, I was teaching for almost 8 hours each of those days with very short breaks in between tutorial sections and lecture.

Positive experiences

I would describe the experience of being back on campus as invigorating. The energy that the students brought to the classroom was great, and I really enjoyed being able to read the room and the expressions on students' faces to inform my teaching and communication. Students also shared their excitement about the course, as well as their enjoyment at being able to work with their peers on the assignments and class activities. The students really enjoyed the group work activities and felt that it had enhanced their learning of the material and problem sets. I had noticed many students had formed study groups and built friendships throughout the course, something which had been lacking during online instruction and learning.

Challenges during the term

However, this summer term was not without some concerns and challenges. As the instructor in the course, it was very draining policing the mask policy within the classroom. The first two weeks in particular felt like I was constantly nagging students because I was forced to remind them to wear KN95 or 3-ply surgical masks and not cloth masks, and also reminding them to wear them properly (i.e. above their nose, well sealed, etc.). Further to that, I was constantly reminding students to not eat in the classroom during the lecture time since doing so meant students were temporarily removing or lowering their masks in the classroom. The lack of windows and the inability to open the windows of my spaces meant the rooms were stuffy, which while wearing masks, made it very uncomfortable both the students and myself.

Students throughout the term also expressed deep concerns about being in a space with suspected or known positive covid-19 exposures as many students were choosing to come to campus when mildly ill (still symptomatic although their 5-day isolation had passed) or asymptomatic positive to write quizzes or attend class for fear of falling behind or being too overwhelmed with make-up assessments, despite being clear in the syllabus that make-up assessments and extensions would have been accommodated if a student is ill. At one point, 15% of my class was away sick all at once, which intensified my workload, particularly as I was being as flexible as possible for the students to squeeze them in for individual make-up tests (since everyone recovered at different rates). I often sacrificed my own breaks or prep-time to accommodate student schedules. This was particularly difficult when my teaching schedule required me to be in the class for 8 hours a day twice a week during this summer term. Further to that, when students did write make-up quizzes, I had to mark them as my markers are only available for set days during the term and were unable to mark outside of those set times. This workload intensification, especially after coming after the last two years of pandemic teaching, caused continued high levels of burnout, and having the feeling of being increasingly stretched thin. At the end of the term, three students had to defer the final exam due to needing to stay home and isolate, which meant that I had three separate deferrals to coordinate. This meant three separate 3-hour periods that I was required to be on campus after the course had officially ended and I was due to go on holidays, delaying the start of my vacation by two weeks.

CO2 monitoring of teaching spaces

In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, air quality, particularly within indoor spaces, has been a concern. Maintaining spaces with adequate ventilation and humidity control helps reduce the risk of the airborne transmission of the virus. On way to assess the perceived risk of transmission is through air quality readings of CO2 concentrations and relative humidity. A study by Wang et al., published in the scientific journal Science in 2021, suggested that spaces should be maintained at CO2 levels lower than 700-800 ppm to reduce the risk of airborne spread. Furthermore, the relative humidity affects the transport of airborne particulates within a space. It was also noted in Wang et al. (2021) that viruses can have higher transmission rates at very low relative humidity or at very high relative humidity. Maintaining the relative humidity in the mid-range can help reduce the transport of airborne particulates and viruses within indoor space.

The lectures were held in an older lecture hall in Buller Building that was upgraded with smart technology and that could accommodate my class of 100 students. The windows could not be opened, and the room was often stuffy and hot. After spending weeks trying to get the space tested for CO2 levels via EHSO, I ended up signing out one of UMFAs Aranet CO2 monitors about half-way through the term at the end of May. I was able to test the space for CO2 levels and humidity. The readings I had during class time ranged from 782 – 922 ppm, with a relative humidity of 38%.

Both the morning tutorial section and afternoon tutorial section were within a small classroom in Armes Complex. The classroom had no windows and again felt hot and stuff. Similarly with my request for CO2 monitoring, I ended up taking my own readings at the end of May. In the morning, CO2 readings ranged from 519 – 824 ppm with a relative humidity of 37%. The afternoon tutorial session had readings of between 570 – 840 ppm with a relative humidity of 37%.

Interestingly, after several follow ups with EHSO, both the Buller lecture hall and Armes classroom were tested over a 24-hour period during the final week of semester. Readings ranged from 316 – 655 ppm for the Armes classroom, with relative humidity ranging from 30.5 – 56.8% at 24C, and from 312 – 612 ppm in the Buller lecture hall, with relative humidity ranging from 22.9 – 38.2% at ~23C. It was frustrating that despite weeks of requests for CO2 monitoring for my teaching spaces that the request took so long to complete and was done at the end of term rather than at the start of term when these data would have been informative as to the perceived safety of the spaces, both for myself and my students’ peace of mind.

Lingering thoughts

Overall, while I think it is beneficial to return to in-person experiences (both teaching and learning), there were many challenges, that if left unchecked, could lead to a potentially chaotic and concerning fall semester. If workload intensification occurred just for a single course because of needing to be flexible and accommodating with regards to student illness, how much more will workload intensify when instructors and other teaching faculty are meant to teach 2-4 courses in the fall regular term during the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic? Without supports to reduce workload intensification, and clear communication of policies with regards to masking and staying home when ill (both from administration and in our own courses and units), faculty (and student) burnout will continue to grow at exponential rates, which is not sustainable for the health of the university community.

Submit an item for our STRIKE issue!

This November marks one year since the beginning of our last strike. We'd like to publish reflections on the strike experience in the next issue. What did you learn from the strike? What was the most positive aspect of it for you?

Please send your submissions on either of these questions or other aspects of the 2021 strike to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Deadline: Nov. 25

Viewpoints Submissions Policy

Submissions should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The editorial subcommittee reserves the right to suggest revisions and edits, to invite a response to a submission (whose publication may be held until a response has been received), and to reject submissions.

Contributors are reminded that Viewpoints publications will be pushed to subscribing members via email and made publicly accessible in an archive at https://www.umfa.ca/news/umfaviewpoints.

Submission Length:

There is no upper limit on submission length, and all formats and lengths are encouraged. Submissions as short as 100 words will be accepted for consideration.

Citations:

Citations are not required for all submissions. Citations authors wish to provide are welcome and should be presented informally when possible.

Submission Content Requirements:

Submissions should be broadly related to unions and UMFA member concerns. Submissions should respect the UMFA rules for inter-member communication and conduct, summarized as follows:

The UMFABoard of Representatives affirms that the basis of union solidarity is mutual respect, and that each UMFA member should strive to uphold values of equity and inclusion in the work of the union. Discrimination against members on the basis of their race, gender, sexuality, ability, age, ethnicity, religion, belief, or class origins is unacceptable, as is action taken by one member to use their power in order to belittle or devalue another.

Submissions will not speculate on the motivations or personal character of individual UMFA members. Submissions shall focus on actions and arguments, and not on the character of individuals.

Negotiations in the News

Recent articles on UMFA-UM negotiations are below. Some require a subscription to access. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the text if you cannot access an article.

International students say U of M left them without mental-health support during strike by faculty (Dec. 8, 2021)
CBC
Classes resumed yesterday after University of Manitoba faculty voted to accept a deal with the university, ending the five- week strike.

UMFA ratifies agreement, classes resume (video) (Dec. 7, 2021)
CityNews
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association has ratified the tentative agreement, officially ending its 35-day strike. Students and faculty returned to class Tuesday morning.

University of Manitoba strike ends, students to return to class Tuesday (video) (Dec. 7, 2021)
Global News
University of Manitoba students were back in class today after faculty members ratified their new collective agreement last night, putting an end to a record five-week long strike.

UMFA president speaks after new agreement with U of M sends students back to class (Dec. 7, 2021)
Portage Online
News broke Monday morning, indicating that the 5-week long strike casting a shadowing upon the University of Manitoba may be coming to an end.

Emotional impact weighed in wake of U of M strike (Dec. 7, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
There are piles of homework for both students and professors at the University of Manitoba, following a record-long academic strike on a Winnipeg campus.

UMFA ratifies agreement, U of M strike over (video) (Dec. 7, 2021)
CityNews
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association has ratified the tentative agreement, officially ending its 35-day strike. Students and faculty returned to class Tuesday morning.

Faculty at University of Manitoba back in class, salaries go to binding arbitration (Dec. 7, 2021)
Winnipeg Sun
The faculty association at the University of Manitoba has ended a 35-day strike and students are headed back to class.

Faculty at University of Manitoba end strike, will go to binding arbitration (Dec. 7, 2021)
Naitonal Post
The faculty association at the University of Manitoba has ended a 35-day strike and students are headed back to class.

U of M Faculty Ratifies New Tentative Agreement (Dec. 7, 2021)
ChrisD.ca
Classes have resumed at the University of Manitoba today after faculty members ratified a new tentative agreement on Monday night, ending a 35-day strike.

University of Manitoba strike ends, students to return to class Tuesday (Dec. 7, 2021)
Global News
After more than a month, a strike at the University of Manitoba has come to an end and students can start heading back to class.

Rattrapage du mardi 7 décembre 2021
Radio-Canada
À l'émission aujourd'hui : les tests rapides seraient-ils la voie pour revenir à la normale?, on se demande à qui appartiennent les Blue Bombers avec notre chroniqueur aux affaires municipales Kaj Hasselriis, les activités de recherche et d'enseignement reprennent à l'Université du Manitoba après 35 jours de grève, et on discute des effets de l'obligation vaccinale pour les sports intérieurs avec une mère et une bénévole en hockey mineur.

UMFA strike ends (Dec. 7, 2021)
The Manitoban
The University of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) have reached an agreement to enter into binding arbitration, ending a strike that has lasted over a month.

U of M strike ends, students return to class Tuesday (Dec. 7, 2021)
CBC
Classes are back on at the University of Manitoba Tuesday after striking faculty voted to accept a deal with the university to end a five-week long strike.

UMFA ends 35-day strike; classes to resume at U of M (Dec. 7, 2021)
CTV News
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) has ended its 35-day strike after ratifying the tentative agreement.

Back to class after balloting (Dec. 7, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
Interrupted courses and research at the University of Manitoba will resume Tuesday after academics approved a deal ending a 35-day strike.

U Of Manitoba Strike Over (Dec. 7, 2021)
Manitoba Post
The five week strike by the University of Manitoba Faculty association has ended and students will be back in class this morning.

University of Manitoba, faculty union reach tentative deal; ratification vote tonight (Dec. 6, 2021)
CityNews
The University of Manitoba and the union representing more than 1,200 of its faculty members say they have reached a tentative agreement.

Back-to-class ballot question (Dec. 6, 2021)
Brandon Sun
Interrupted courses and research at the University of Manitoba are anticipated to resume Tuesday — should academics approve a tentative deal that would end a 35-day strike.

University of Manitoba, faculty union reach tentative deal; ratification vote tonight (Dec. 6, 2021)
Empire Advance
The University of Manitoba and the union representing more than 1,200 of its faculty members say they have reached a tentative agreement.

U of M Faculty Reaches Tentative Agreement (Dec. 6, 2021)
ChrisD.ca
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) has reached a tentative agreement with the university’s administration.

Entente de principe entre l’Université du Manitoba et les professeurs en grève (Dec. 6, 2021)
Radio-Canada
L’Association des professeurs de l’Université du Manitoba (UMFA), en grève depuis le 2 novembre, est parvenue à une entente de principe avec l’administration de l’établissement. Celle-ci fera l’objet d’un vote de ratification du syndicat lundi soir.

La grève des professeurs de l’Université du Manitoba prend fin après plus d’un mois (Dec. 6, 2021)
Radio Canada
Les cours reprennent dès mardi à l’Université du Manitoba, alors que les professeurs ont ratifié l’entente de principe intervenue avec l'administration de l'Université, mettant ainsi fin à une grève qui a duré 35 jours.

Une entente de principe entre l’UMFA et l’université du Manitoba (Dec. 6, 2021)
Radio-Canada
Après plus de 35 jours de grève, les étudiants de l’Université du Manitoba pourraient retourner en classe dès mardi. Érik Thomson de l’UMFA discute de l’entente de principe.

Rattrapage du lundi 6 décembre 2021 (Dec. 6, 2021)
Radio-Canada
À l'émission aujourd'hui : on souligne la Journée nationale de commémoration et d'action contre la violence faite aux femmes, on discute de l'utilité de munir les autobus scolaires de caméras de surveillance, on parle crédits carbone et agriculture avec notre chroniqueuse Anastasia Fyk, on fait un tour du côté de l'usine de traitement des eaux de Letellier, on se réjouit de la victoire des Blue Bombers en finale de l'Ouest avec un partisan, on fête le 75e anniversaire de CKSB, et on fait le point sur l'entente de principe entre les professeurs et l'administration de l'Université du Manitoba.

Vote tonight on tenative deal to end U of M strike (Dec. 6, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
A tentative deal has been reached that would end a strike at the University of Manitoba that has lasted more than a month.

Faculty reach tentative deal with U of M to end 35-day strike (Dec. 6, 2021)
Winnipeg Sun
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) has reached a tentative agreement with the university’s administration, putting a potential end to the 35-day strike.

U of Manitoba, faculty reach tentative deal, potentially ending weeks-long strike (Dec. 6, 2021)
CBC
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association says they have reached a tentative agreement with university officials to end a five-week-long strike.

Tentative agreement reached in U of M strike; classes could resume Tuesday (Dec. 6, 2021)
CTV News
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) announced on Monday morning that it has reached a tentative agreement with university’s administration, which could put an end to the 35-day strike.

UMFA reaches tentative deal with university (Dec. 6, 2021)
Global News
Could the month-long strike between the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) and the University of Manitoba finally be coming to an end?

For U of M students, protracted strike a lesson in frustration (Dec. 3, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
More than a month after faculty members at the University of Manitoba went on strike, mass disruptions to classes and an ever-changing academic calendar are taking a severe toll on students’ well-being.

Hard line on arbitration propels strike (Dec. 3, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
One week ago, Arne Peltz, a respected labour lawyer and the mediator in the dispute between the University of Manitoba Faculty Association and the school’s administration, raised alarm bells about the union’s approach to negotiations. Mr. Peltz, who is well known as a fair and knowledgeable mediator and arbiter, accused UMFA of being unreasonable in refusing to participate in binding arbitration — a process that carries the promise of an expedited settlement — until non-monetary issues are dealt with through negotiation.

Brandonites discuss provincial budget with finance minister (Dec. 3, 2021)
Brandon Sun
With Christmas around the corner, provincial Finance Minister Scott Fielding came to Brandon to talk turkey on Thursday night.

Suffering U of M students deserve better from their Administration and the Province (Dec. 2, 2021)
CCPA MB
University of Manitoba (U of M) students are in educational limbo during the longest legal strike in history by the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA). This year professors, instructors, and librarians are pushing back against deteriorating institutional quality, emphasizing how real wage decreases have made attracting and retaining top faculty challenging. University of Manitoba President Michael Bennaroch confirmed that UMFA members had lost approximately 8% of the value of their wages over the term of the previous contract, signifying a much-needed renewal.

The University of Manitoba faculty strike has now lasted one month (video) (Dec. 2, 2021)
Global News Twitter
The University of Manitoba faculty strike has now lasted one month, and while the school and faculty spar over a new deal, students are stuck in the middle and worry how long it could last. Joe Scarpelli reports.

University of Manitoba Faculty Association hold the picket line (video) (Dec. 2, 2021)
CityNews Twitter
UMFA continue to strike as they as the University of Manitoba for a fair deal. Brianne Foley has the story.

Students join striking U of M profs in show of solidarity (Dec. 2, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
STUDENTS say they are willing to make sacrifices as they stand in solidarity with striking faculty members at the University of Manitoba.

University of Manitoba students organize in support of faculty strike (Dec. 1, 2021)
Fightback
On Nov. 2, the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA), which represents 1,2000 instructors, professors, and librarians, walked off the job to demand higher pay. The union has said that low pay has made it difficult to hire and retain new faculty, leading to “brain drain.”

Some students frustrated as U of M strike stretches on (video) (Dec. 1, 2021)
Global News
“It’s very much a mixed bag. There are students who just want the strike to be over. There are students who are still supporting UMFA’s cause…”

UMSU endorses binding arbitration in UMFA strike (Dec.1, 2021)
The Manitoban
The motion, brought forward by UMSU executives, was amended to address UMFA’s non-monetary concerns, which were initially not included in the proposal.

U of M vice-president (external) resigns (Dec. 1, 2021)
The Manitoban
“The External Relations team will continue its outstanding, award-winning work in philanthropy, alumni relations, marketing communications and government relations,” Kearsey said in a statement.

Government making U of M less competitive (Nov. 30, 2021)
The Manitoban
Why attend the University of Manitoba? It’s a question that can be asked in two contexts: why does the U of M seemingly feel weighed down by political decisions of the provincial government? And why should a student come to the U of M despite these struggles? Within the past five years, the U of M has been affected by two strikes, one strike threat, three straight years of tuition increases and budget cuts that took international students off the provincial health-care plan.

The strike is an inconvenient necessity for students (Nov. 29, 2021)
The Manitoban
From a student’s perspective, it can sometimes be hard to see the conflict between the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) and the University of Manitoba as anything but a massive inconvenience. Some classes continue undeterred with others unceremoniously called to a halt with no rhyme or reason from student to student. Graduation dates are in jeopardy — a nightmare for international students and those with post-graduation jobs lined up — and there is a real danger the winter term reading week will be lost if the strike goes on much longer.

Letter to the Editor - U of M salaries compared (Nov. 29, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press

WFP Letters Nov29

U of Manitoba Mediator Calls Out Union (Nov. 28, 2021)
Manitoba Post
The Mediator recommending arbitration in the University of Manitoba strike says the union is being unrealistic.

U of M strike continues (video) (Nov. 26, 2021)
Global News
The University of Manitoba and its professors have yet to reach a settlement and could expect binding arbitration.

Mediator scolds University of Manitoba Faculty Association for rejecting arbitration to end strike (Nov. 26, 2021)
CBC
A mediator has slammed the striking University of Manitoba Faculty Association for failing to accept binding arbitration in its labour dispute with the University of Manitoba, saying there is no further value in mediation.

Mediator chides U of M faculty association for dragging out strike (Nov. 26, 2021)
Global News
A mediator is urging the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) to accept binding arbitration to settle its contract dispute with the University of Manitoba.

Mediator blames U of M faculty for prolonging strike (Nov. 26, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
A labour mediator says striking faculty members at the University of Manitoba should put down their pickets and return to class so students "should not continue to suffer during a leisurely and ultimately futile negotiation."

L’Association des professeurs de l’Université du Manitoba rejette l’arbitrage (Nov. 26, 2021)
Radio Canada
L’Association des professeurs de l’Université du Manitoba (UMFA), en grève depuis le 2 novembre, rejette le processus d’arbitrage contraignant pour mettre fin au conflit de travail. Une décision que lui reproche le médiateur Arne Peltz dans sa recommandation finale.

Mediator suggests binding arbitration in labour dispute keeping thousands of students out of class at University of Manitoba. (video) (Nov. 26, 2021)
City News Winnipeg

‘Bad luck’ contract timing puts U of M academics in tough spot (Nov. 26, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
ALL eyes are on academics at the University of Manitoba amid their labour dispute — not because other post-secondary faculty associations have been exempt from government wage mandates, but because of timing.

Manitoba finance minister promises ‘fresh start’ with public sector unions (Nov. 24, 2021)
Global News
The Manitoba government says it will repeal a wage-freeze bill for public-sector workers, despite a recent court victory.

UMFA seeking $28 million in damages from province for government’s interference in 2016 labour negotiations, court hears (Nov. 23, 2021)
CTV News
As the University of Manitoba Faculty Association’s (UMFA) current strike entered its fourth week, lawyers for the union which represent academic staff told a Manitoba judge UMFA members should be awarded $28 million in damages due to the circumstances that preceded the 2016 strike.

U of M Faculty Association seeks $28.8M from province for 2016 contract interference (Nov. 23, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association is seeking nearly $30 million in damages from the province, following court rulings it interfered with contract negotiations between the group and employer in 2016.

Mediator recommends binding arbitration to resolve U of M strike (Nov. 22, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
As striking educators at the University of Manitoba enter their fourth week on the picket lines, a mediator has recommended the parties involved settle outstanding issues in binding arbitration so courses can resume.

U of M faculty strike talks hits stalemate, mediator calls for binding arbitration (Nov. 22, 2021)
CBC
The mediator trying to find a middle ground in the three-week-long University of Manitoba faculty strike has hit an impasse and is recommending binding arbitration to resolve the dispute.

Shorter winter break in sight for students as U of Manitoba strike enters 3rd week (Nov. 22, 2021)
Global News
The University of Manitoba and its professors will enter its third week of strike action Wednesday. The stress is heightening for students like Lindsy Degagne, as the weeks go by and classes continue to be cancelled.

Contract meddling is short-term thinking (Nov. 22, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
AS someone born and raised in Winnipeg, as well as a former student and current faculty member at the University of Manitoba, I have a lot invested in its success and want to see it flourish. It is for these reasons that I and other faculty at U of M are concerned with the well-documented interference by the provincial government in the bargaining between university administration and UMFA dating back to 2016.

Strike At The University Of Manitoba: Interview With David Camfield (Nov. 19, 2021)
Passage
For this week’s Class Struggle newsletter, I spoke with David Camfield about the ongoing faculty strike at the University of Manitoba.

Premier holds key to unlocking door to end U of M faculty strike (Nov. 19, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
On Monday morning, in a courtroom well away from the picket lines at the University of Manitoba's Fort Garry campus, there will be a gathering of officials from the province, the school and the union representing striking teachers that could be the beginning of an end to the labour conflict that has shut down classes for thousands of students.

Interference at universities must stop (Nov. 19, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
It’s been a tough couple of years for university students in Fort Rouge. I know that students have worked hard to adapt to online learning, and faculty have been finding new ways to teach and connect with their students, but it’s still not the same as being with your peers and professors on campus. Now the Progressive Conservative government is only making life harder for students.

UMFA calls on administration to release wage mandate details (Nov. 18, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
Faculty members on strike at the University of Manitoba want their employer to release the details of a government wage mandate that they say is stalling the conclusion of a new agreement.

Why students support faculty (Nov. 18, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press - Letters to the Editor

Some U of M profs return to work (Nov. 17, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
Some faculty members at the University of Manitoba who went on strike earlier this month have ditched the picket lines and returned to work amid an ongoing stalemate in negotiations.

Interference at universities must stop (Nov. 17, 2021)
Sou'wester
It’s been a tough couple of years for university students in Fort Rouge. I know that students have worked hard to adapt to online learning, and faculty have been finding new ways to teach and connect with their students, but it’s still not the same as being with your peers and professors on campus. Now the Progressive Conservative government is only making life harder for students.

New plans for interrupted classes (p.3); Fall term break provided little rest for labour activists (p.3); Students emphasize research amid faculty strike (p.5); Pallister's legacy living on in Stefanson's administration (p.10); Austerity holding students and province back (p.12) (Nov. 17, 2021)
The Manitoban

Provincial Government Austerity Holding Students and Manitoba Economy Back (Nov. 17, 2021)
CCPA (from the Manitoban)
Last week professors, instructors and librarians represented by the University of Manitoba Faculty Association went on legal strike, bringing many classes and other university activities to a halt. The main issue faculty are fighting against is deteriorating institutional quality due to uncompetitive salaries.

Manitoba's Minister of Advanced Education Wayne Ewasko says there's no mandate from the province around the UMFA, U of M bargaining but the institutions president says the school is following direction from the province. (Nov. 16, 2021)
City News (video)

Students must be at forefront in strike talks (Nov. 16, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
New Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson and senior ministers have gone to considerable lengths to distance themselves from many unpopular aspects of the legacy of former premier Brian Pallister. The strike by University of Manitoba faculty is an opportunity to show how the new PC team is different from the old.

Faculty union's mock search party 'insult' to families of missing, murdered, advocate says (Nov. 16, 2021)
CBC
A stunt by striking University of Manitoba faculty members to bring attention to their cause has drawn criticism from advocates and families of missing and murdered women.

Mediation resumes between U of M and UMFA (video) (Nov. 15, 2021)
Global News
Mediation has resumed between the University of Manitoba and the Faculty Association as the strike nears the two-week mark.

Faculty-backing students set up blockade outside U of M administration building (Nov. 15, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
Two weeks into a faculty strike that has halted learning at the University of Manitoba, students stood on the snowy steps outside the office of the school’s president Monday to form a symbolic blockade.

Students block doors at University of Manitoba building, demand administrators get back to bargaining table (Nov. 15, 2021)
CBC
A group of University of Manitoba students is blocking the doors to the administration building Monday morning to show of support for striking faculty.

Students staging lockout at U of M admin building as strike continues (Nov. 15, 2021)
CTV News
A group of students is standing outside the doors of the University of Manitoba administration building on Monday to prevent administration staff from entering the building.

Student Organizing 101 at the UMFA strike (Nov. 13, 2021)
Rank and File
Since November 2, more than 1,200 members of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA)—including professors, librarians, lecturers, and instructors—have been on strike following a strong 85 percent strike mandate in mid-October. This strike comes only five years after the last by UMFA in 2016.

Standing up for all students and educators (Nov. 12, 2021)
Canstar News
For the past five years, the Progressive Conservative government has continually put money ahead of Manitobans.

What does Premier Stefanson mean for Fort Garry? (Nov. 12, 2021)
Canstar News
On Oct. 30, the governing Progressive Conservative party elected a new leader who became premier of Manitoba on Nov. 2 —Heather Stefanson.

UMFA: Publicized offer doesn’t match reality at bargaining table (Nov. 11)
CityNews
The U of M Faculty Association has a much different offer on the table than what it's publicized, but the union’s president says it didn’t mean to mislead the public, as both parties have been accused of skewing the numbers.

'Virtual pickets' by U of M staff take strike to new level (Nov. 10, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
Quiet campuses and COVID-19 concerns have forced academics at the University of Manitoba to get creative by taking job action online amid stalled wage negotiations.

Brian Pallister’s Wage Freeze Resulted in Indigenous Scholars Leaving Manitoba, University Faculty Say (Nov. 10, 2021)
Press Progress
The University of Manitoba is having trouble recruiting and retaining Indigenous scholars following five years of frozen wages, faculty say.

University of Manitoba professors strike over wages, accuse government of meddling (Nov. 10, 2021)
Globe and Mail
Faculty at the University of Manitoba have been on strike for more than a week after contract negotiations stalled over salary increases.

Strike will prolong nursing crisis, U of Manitoba nursing educators say (Nov. 9, 2021)
CBC
A number of educators from the University of Manitoba say they're worried an ongoing faculty strike will put even more strain on what they call a nursing crisis in the province.

Striking nursing college staff warn of recruitment, retention ripple effects (Nov. 9, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
Striking academics from the University of Manitoba college of nursing say training the next batch of health-care providers is becoming more difficult as wages and employment conditions drive colleagues away from teaching.

Striking University of Manitoba staff set up outside premier's constituency office (Nov. 8, 2021)
CBC
Striking instructors, professors and librarians from the University of Manitoba and students who support them planned to set up shop in the premier's constituency office on Monday until she agrees to hear their concerns or ends a government mandate they say is interfering with the bargaining process, but they were met by a locked door.

Striking U of M professors, sympathetic students picket premier's constituency office (Nov. 8, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
University of Manitoba Faculty Association members targeted Premier Heather Stefanson's Tuxedo constituency office with pickets Monday morning.

U of M faculty staging sit-in at Stefanson's constituency office (Nov. 8, 2021)
CTV News
Members of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) are staging a sit-in at Premier Heather Stefanson’s constituency office on Monday morning.

University of Manitoba faculty members demanding to meet with Premier (video) (Nov. 8, 2021)
City News
Dozens of UMFA members were picketing in front of Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson’s constituency office Monday morning demanding to meet with the Premier. Alex Karpa reports.

Rally for striking UMFA workers draws crowd of picketers (Nov. 5, 2021)
CTV News
A large crowd rallied in support of striking faculty members at the University of Manitoba on Friday.

Hundreds gather in support of UMFA at University of Manitoba (Nov. 5, 2021)
City News
In the largest event of the U of M strike so far, hundreds of union members, students and supporters gathered at the University of Manitoba administration building, but the U of M brass are standing firm on their offer.

Striking U of M faculty proposes 6.5 per cent wage deal (Nov. 5, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
Academics at the University of Manitoba have proposed the administration agree to a cumulative wage hike of 6.5 per cent over three years to end the strike.

U of Manitoba nursing students worry strike will keep them from graduating, working (Nov. 5, 2021)
CBC
Nursing students at the University of Manitoba are worried they won't be able to graduate in the spring because their clinical and community rotations have been suspended due to a faculty strike.

Striking U of M faculty table 6.5 per cent wage increase (Nov. 4, 2021)
Toronto Star (reprint from the Winnipeg Free Press)
Academics at the University of Manitoba have proposed the administration agree to a cumulative wage hike of 6.5 per cent over three years to end the strike.

U of M faculty union presents new contract offer, says strike could end if university accepts it (Nov. 4, 2021)

CBC
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association, the union representing more than 1,200 U of M staff, says it has tabled a new contract offer that could end the current strike if university administrators agree on it.

Striking faculty union says new deal tabled with University of Manitoba administration (Nov. 4, 2021)
Global News
The union representing striking faculty at the University of Manitoba says it’s delivered a new deal to school administrators.

University of Manitoba faculty strike sends Northern Social Work instructors onto the picket line (Nov. 4, 2021)
Thompson Citizen
A strike by University of Manitoba professors, instructors and librarians is having an impact on the Northern Social Work program in Thompson.

University of Manitoba and striking faculty back at the bargaining table (Nov. 4, 2201)
Winnipeg Sun
The University of Manitoba and striking faculty were called back into mediation on Thursday.

Talks Could Resume In U Of Manitoba Strike (Nov. 4, 2021)
Manitoba Post
The University of Manitoba is hopeful the faculty strike will be over soon.

International students especially eager for an end to University of Manitoba faculty strike (Nov. 4, 2021)
CBC
Some international students at the University of Manitoba say they're feeling helpless, now that a strike by faculty has put their classes on an indefinite pause.

U of M bows to pressure, reinstates online course content (Nov. 3, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
The University of Manitoba has announced a U-turn to allow students access to readings and other course content posted online amid a strike by faculty — if instructors have not removed them — in response to community backlash.

U of Manitoba faculty member victim of hit and run on picket line, union says (Nov. 3, 2021)
CBC
A faculty member on a picket line at the University of Manitoba's Fort Garry campus was hit by a vehicle whose driver then fled the scene on Tuesday morning, the union representing the school's faculty says.

Manitoba Teachers’ Society pledges support for U of M faculty strike (Nov. 3, 2021)
CTV News
The Manitoba Teachers’ Society announced its support of the University of Manitoba faculty strike Wednesday on the picket line.

Teachers, students dismayed after University of Manitoba admin locks online learning site (Nov. 3, 2021)
Global News
University students caught in between administrators and striking faculty say they were locked out of an online learning system that was to let them continue their studies.

Faculty at the University of Manitoba are forming a picket line this morning (Nov. 2, 2021)
CBC
As of this morning University of Manitoba faculty are on strike. Host Marcy Markusa spoke with Michael Benarroch President of the University of Manitoba.

U of M faculty on strike after failed negotiations with administration (Nov. 2, 2021)
CTV News
As of Nov. 2 the halls and classrooms at the University of Manitoba are going to be a lot less busy.

U of M faculty to strike after negotiations reach impasse day before deadline: union (Nov. 1, 2021)
CBC
Faculty at Manitoba's largest university are on the verge of a strike after their union says it has reached an "impasse" in its contract negotiations, one day before a strike deadline.

U of M faculty prep for picket line as mediation fails (Nov. 1, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
Academics at the University of Manitoba have been asked to make their teaching materials inaccessible to students and set-up automated out-of-office emails in preparation for a picket line Tuesday.

Also reprinted in the Record.

University of Manitoba faculty to strike starting Tuesday, union says (video) (Nov. 1, 2021)
Global News
Faculty at the University of Manitoba say they will hit the picket lines starting Tuesday morning after reaching an “impasse” with the school’s administration over contract negotiations.

University of Manitoba faculty on strike (Nov. 1, 2021)
Global News
Faculty at the University of Manitoba hit the picket lines Tuesday morning after reaching an “impasse” with the school’s administration over contract negotiations.

University of Manitoba Faculty Association 'has no choice except to strike' Tuesday (Nov. 1, 2021)
CHVN 95.1
Many University of Manitoba (UM) students will not be logging or walking into their classes Tuesday morning.

UMFA could hit picket line after delivering ‘final offer’ Monday (Nov. 1, 2021)
Canada.com
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association will be on strike on Tuesday.

University Of Manitoba Faculty To Strike Starting Tuesday, Union Says (Nov. 1, 2021)
The Street Journal
Faculty at the University of Manitoba say they will hit the picket lines starting Tuesday morning after reaching an “impasse” with the school’s administration over contract negotiations.

U of M edges closer to strike deadline (Oct. 31, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
Unsure about what their courses will look like in the coming days, as a faculty strike deadline nears, students at the University of Manitoba are frustrated about the prospect of their instructors walking off the job amid continuous learning disruptions.

UMFA calls on new Premier to stop interfering in bargaining (Oct. 30, 2021)
Winnipeg Sun
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) is calling on the new Manitoba Premier to immediately walk away from the legacy of former Premier Brian Pallister and withdraw the mandate of restricting wages during bargaining at the University of Manitoba.

Pair of protests show support for U of Manitoba faculty on verge of possible strike (Oct. 30, 2021)
CBC
Supporters of the union that represents professors, instructors, archivists and librarians at Manitoba's largest university gathered outside a Winnipeg hotel Saturday, ahead of the announcement there of the province's next premier.

Possible grève à l’Université du Manitoba : la future première ministre interpellée (Oct. 30, 2021)
Radio-Canada
Des sympathisants à la cause des professeurs, éducateurs, archivistes et bibliothécaires de l’Université du Manitoba, qui pourraient être en grève dès la semaine prochaine, se sont rassemblés devant l’hôtel Victoria Inn, samedi, où se tient la convention du Parti progressiste-conservateur qui doit élire la cheffe du parti et prochaine première ministre du Manitoba.

University of Manitoba faculty plan strike for higher salaries (Oct. 30, 2021)
The Charlatan
University of Manitoba faculty have set bargaining and strike deadlines for Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, respectively, as the school’s salaries remain among the lowest of Canada’s major research institutes.

UMFA strike deadline Nov. 2 (Oct. 26, 2021)
The Manitoban
As negotiations continue, the threat of a faculty strike at the U of M looms larger by the day.

'It worries me': U of M students concerned as faculty strike nears (Oct. 25, 2021)
CTV News Winnipeg
Between midterms and campus life, students at the University of Manitoba have a lot to think about - including a potential faculty strike.

U of M Faculty sets Nov. 2 strike deadline (Oct. 24, 2021)
Winnipeg Sun
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) has set a bargaining deadline of Oct. 31 and a strike deadline for Nov. 2 in their ongoing talks for a new collective agreement with the University of Manitoba administration.

U of M academics announce Nov. 2 strike deadline (Oct. 22, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association has set a strike deadline of Nov. 2 as academics continue to sound alarms about the need for their employer to address retention and recruitment issues with a better wage offer.

University of Manitoba Faculty Association sets strike deadline (Oct. 22, 2021)
CTV News Winnipeg
The union representing more than 1,200 staff at the University of Manitoba has set a strike deadline as it pushes for improvements.

University of Manitoba faculty union sets November 2 strike deadline (Oct. 22, 2021)
Global News
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association says it is setting a bargaining deadline of October 31 and a strike deadline of November 2 as it continues to battle with school administration over a new deal.

University of Manitoba faculty union sets Nov. 2 strike deadline (Oct. 22, 2021)
CBC
The union that represents professors, instructors, archivists and librarians at Manitoba's largest university says members are one step closer to walking off the job.

University of Manitoba faculty set strike deadline (Oct. 22, 2021)
City News (YouTube)
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association has set a bargaining deadline for October 31st and a strike deadline for November 2nd. UMFA wants action from the University administration in regards to faculty retention and recruitment.

UMFA strike vote overwhelmingly successful (Oct. 19, 2021)
The Manitoban
Members of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) have made clear their overwhelming support for a strike with 85 per cent of the union’s members voting to authorize such action.

U of M faculty vote for strike mandate, union says (Oct. 19, 2021)
Global News
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate, with a record turnout voting 85 per cent in favour of a call to strike, should it be necessary.

Manitoba PCs can’t fix nursing shortage with low wages for University of Manitoba instructors, faculty warn (Oct. 19, 2021)
Press Progress
Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government’s ongoing pressure to keep University of Manitoba faculty wages low will hamper the university’s ability to train the next generation of nurses and healthcare professionals, faculty say.

U of M academics vote in favour of strike action (Oct. 19, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
Academics at the University of Manitoba have handed their union a strong mandate to take strike action amid contentious wage negotiations with their employer.

UMFA tells province to stop interfering in negotiations (Oct. 19, 2021)
The Manitoban
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) held a press conference alongside the Manitoba Liberal Party and the Manitoba NDP at the Legislature last Wednesday to call for the provincial government to stop interfering in UMFA’s collective bargaining negotiations.

Union for U of M faculty votes to authorize a strike (Oct. 19, 2021)
CTV News
Members of the union representing more than 1,200 staff at the University of Manitoba have voted to authorize a strike. However, it does not mean a strike will be called.

Strike action authorized by University of Manitoba faculty (Oct. 19, 2021)
CBC
University of Manitoba faculty are in a strike position after 85 per cent voted over the past three days to authorize that action.

U of M Faculty Votes in Favour of Strike (Oct. 19, 2021)
ChrisD.ca
Members of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association have voted to authorize a strike.

U Of Manitoba Strike Vote Continues (Oct. 18, 2021)
Manitoba Post
A three day strike vote is underway by faculty at the University of Manitoba.

University of Manitoba union launches 3-day strike vote (Oct. 16, 2021)
CBC
The University of Manitoba's Faculty Association (UMFA) launched a three-day strike vote Saturday to gauge whether members are in favour of walking off the job, but students say they're being caught in the middle and their education is suffering.

U of M department head details underfunding 'crisis' for faculty, students as strike vote looms (Oct. 13, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
The University of Manitoba’s current head of computer science is sounding an alarm about the "ongoing crisis" in his department that has led to unsustainable staff workloads and hundreds of students unable to get into classes.

UMFA calls out Manitoba government (video) (Oct. 13, 2021)
CityNews
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association is calling out the provincial government as they say they’re interfering with negotiations between UMFA and the University of Manitoba. Mike Albanese has that story.

U of Manitoba faculty union says university hemorrhaging talent due to low salaries (Oct. 13, 2021)
CBC
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association says consistently low salaries at the province's largest university are leading to a "brain drain" of talent ahead of a vote on whether to hit the picket lines.

University of Manitoba faculty wants province to leave wage talks alone (Oct. 13, 2021)
Global News
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) wants to leave negotiations on a new deal with faculty up to their group and the school that employs them — not the provincial government.

What universities can learn from pro sports (Oct. 13, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
Shock headline: Professor advocates increasing university salaries.

Union for U of M faculty authorizes strike vote (Oct. 8, 2021)
CTV News Winnipeg
A strike could be on the horizon for the University of Manitoba, the province’s largest university.

Years Of Wage Freezes Demanded By Manitoba PCs Leading To ‘Brain Drain,’ University Of Manitoba Faculty Say (Oct. 8, 2021)
PressProgress
Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government is once again pressuring the University of Manitoba to freeze its faculty’s wages.

U Of M Faculty Move One Step Closer To Strike (Oct. 8, 2021)
730CKDM.com
The Association representing the University of Manitoba Faculty (UMFA) says that they want salaries more in line with other universities in the country.

University of Manitoba faculty union authorizes strike vote (Oct. 7, 2021)
Global News
The union representing staff at the University of Manitoba has moved one step closer to a strike.

U of M faculty to hold strike vote (Oct. 7, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
As a strike vote looms, faculty at the University of Manitoba say their employer’s low wages — in comparison to other research schools in Canada — continue to hamper recruitment and retention.

University of Manitoba faculty union authorizes strike vote (Oct. 7, 2021)
Global News
The union representing staff at the University of Manitoba has moved one step closer to a strike.

Union for University of Manitoba professors, librarians, instructors to hold strike vote (Oct.6, 2021)
CBC
Dozens of University of Manitoba staff will soon decide whether or not to hit the picket lines.

UMFA motion on strike vote set for Oct. 6 (Oct. 5, 2021)
The Manitoban
Without a collective agreement since April of this year, the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA), which represents around 1,200 academic workers including professors, instructors and academic librarians at the university, is calling for a strike vote.

University of Manitoba profs call for strike vote (Sept. 29, 2021)
Winnipeg Free Press
University of Manitoba professors, librarians and researchers are calling for a strike vote after contract negotiations stalled.

Union for U of Manitoba profs, instructors, librarians calls for strike vote (Sept. 29, 2021)
CBC
The union representing professors, instructors and librarians at the University of Manitoba is calling for a strike vote, saying negotiations with the university administration have "stalled."

Newsletters

2017

February/March 2017 Strike FAQ for Members

Why vote yes? A strike vote FAQ UMFA strike vote FAQ for students The UM's Financial Condition Collective Bargaining: A brief on process Bargaining_in_Context_Salary_Negotiations_in_2020.pdf

2016

2016 - March
2016 - May

Bargaining Updates 2016

Fast track updates
Fast track update - April 21, 2016
Fast track update - April 13, 2016

Bargaining Newsletters

Message from UMFA President Mark Hudson and U of M President David Barnard

This message is being sent from Mark Hudson, President, UMFA, and David Barnard, President University of Manitoba to all members of the University of Manitoba community

After one day of productive mediation, the University of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) have agreed to communicate jointly to the University community about a dramatic recent development in our ongoing efforts to negotiate a new collective agreement.

From the University of Manitoba’s perspective: Over the past several days, the Province has made clear to the University that it has established fresh mandate parameters that seek cooperation in achieving a compensation “pause” throughout the public sector. Public bodies, including the University of Manitoba, are being asked to extend existing contracts for an additional year at zero per cent in order to stabilize public sector compensation levels.

We now find ourselves in the unusual circumstance of having a newly articulated Provincial mandate regarding public sector compensation levels that will have a profound impact on the final compensation levels that we will be able to negotiate, despite having already made what we believe to be a fair and reasonable offer on September 13, 2016.

The University of Manitoba is indeed challenged by these circumstances coming at the end of what has been a difficult but advancing series of discussions since March 2016.

From the University of Manitoba Faculty Association’s perspective: This 11th hour action represents illegitimate government interference in a constitutionally-protected process of collective bargaining. Mediation continues, and our focus is to advance our Members’ priorities through that process. The UM is an independent body whose Board must have the autonomy to engage in all aspects of negotiation. The Province has unnecessarily endangered a complex negotiation through this misguided interference, and its action has jeopardized the educational goals of every UM student. UMFA is currently exploring legal options, and continues to focus on negotiating a fair deal for its members.

Bargaining has been presented with an unexpected complication, but both parties are resolved to continue discussions.

Our negotiations comprise many issues of grave importance to valued faculty members and these will be addressed as the mediation process continues this weekend.

Both parties recognize the impacts a strike can have on students and will work diligently to avoid such an outcome prior to the November 1 strike deadline. The University administration and UMFA take our responsibility to the larger University of Manitoba community very seriously. We are united in caring deeply about the University’s mission to create, preserve and apply knowledge contributing to the wellbeing of this province, Canada and the world.

As both parties continue mediation throughout the weekend with a media blackout imposed by the mediator, there will be no further statements by either party.

Fast Facts Archive

2022

2021

2020

2019

2017	2018
April 4, 2017	January 12, 2018
April 18, 2017	February 9, 2018
May 1, 2017	February 28, 2018
May 11, 2017	March 15, 2018
May 30, 2017	April 4, 2018
June 19, 2017	April 19, 2018
July 4, 2017	May 9, 2018
July 17, 2017	June 6, 2018
October 20, 2017	July 5, 2018
November 2, 2017	July 20, 2018
November 16, 2017	August 8, 2018
November 29, 2017	August 23, 2018
December 13, 2017	September 7, 2018
	September 21, 2018
	October 9, 2018
	October 24, 2018
	November 6, 2018
	November 29, 2018
	December 20, 2018

UMFA Fast Facts Bulletins

fast facts header 01

UMFA Fast Facts is an electronic bulletin sent to UMFA Members, typically bi-weekly, with facts about the Collective Agreement, changes to University policies, important events, calls to action, and upcoming meetings. Previous issues can be found below. Plain text versions can be provided upon request.