Unionized faculty members at The University of Western Ontario have voted overwhelmingly in support of strike action.
A total of 87 per cent of UWOFA’s full and part-time members voted in favour of authorizing their union to call a strike. Voter turnout was 57 per cent of eligible faculty. UWOFA has been without a contract since June 30.
“This strong strike mandate demonstrates that our membership is firmly behind UWOFA’s Negotiating Team,” says James Compton, UWOFA president. “We will continue to bargain in good faith to achieve a fair and equitable collective agreement for our members. And we will continue to resist proposals by the administration that threaten self governance and the institution of tenure.”
Conciliation to help advance negotiations began in September. Further meetings with the conciliator are scheduled for Oct. 12 and Oct. 13. UWOFA members will not be in a legal strike position until a no-board report has been requested and 17 days have passed after its authorization by the Ontario Minister of Labour.
“We were not surprised by the results of the vote and we remain optimistic that a negotiated settlement can be achieved,” says Helen Connell, associate vice-president of communications and public affairs at Western.
“Western’s administration appreciates the importance of tenure and the academic freedom to teach and pursue research and knowledge of a faculty member’s choosing.”
More information is available at www.uwofa.ca.