reflecting on 9/11
Rob Nelson remembers September 11th, 2001 • page 8
universityofwindsor’s studentnewspaper • sep.14.2011 • vol#84 • issue#03 • uwindsorlance.ca
WUFA vs. administration
90% The ongoing arm-wrestle between UWindsor faculty and administration
of WUFA in favour of a strike mandate rahul radhakrishnan NEWS EDITOR natasha marar EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ________________________________
W
indsor University Faculty Association heads into collective agreement talks with university administration this week after its nearly 1,000 members voted in favour of a strike mandate last Thursday. WUFA members, which include professors, instructors and librarians, voted 90 per cent in favour of a strike mandate signifying their concerns over concessions and clawbacks including job promotions, cutbacks in pension plans, the Windsor Salary Standard and equity and pay standards for sessional professors. “I think it is very important for students to understand that this is a strike mandate vote and it doesn’t mean that were going on strike tomorrow or the next day,” said Brian Brown, a visual arts professor and president of WUFA. “We will have that membership behind
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us and the employer knows that if its down to it, the possibility of a strike is there, but by no means is that in our plans at the moment. We’re not looking for anything other than a collective agreement that will be fair to everyone involved,” Brown added.
Classes were interrupted for 18 days when WUFA went on strike on Sept. 17, 2008. WUFA met with the university’s bargaining team on Monday and negotiations are set to resume on Wednesday and again on Sept. 19, 22 and 23. Talks between the two parties started on May 3 and proposals were exchanged before WUFA’s collective agreement expired on June 30. Negotiation meetings took place throughout the summer. In addition to monetary concerns, there are approximately 17 non-monetary items slated for discussion including proposed instructor positions, job security for long-serving sessionals and retirement options. WUFA’s non-monetary proposal would cost the university an estimated $4 million.
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“The non-monetary and monetary requests in faculty association’s initial proposal would be costly and would put an unsustainable strain on the operating budget of the university,” said Wildeman.
“There has to be a compromise on both sides, otherwise students are going to be the ones paying the price, since we are the ones directly affected by a strike,” said the international relations and development studies student.
In a president’s update issued on Aug. 18, Wildeman states the university entered its 2011-2012 budget year with a $4.3 million structural deficit, and is expecting a shortfall of $6.3 million in 2012-2013. Salaries, wages, benefits and pensions make up 80 per cent of the operating budget.
Both parties were reluctant in speculating the chances of a strike. Though Brown said that talks have not progressed as quickly as they did prior to 2008.
“We’re looking forward to having a negotiation with [WUFA] and find the position that can best support their aspirations to help us recruit and retain the best people and create the best environment for our students,” said Wildeman. “[But] also do it in a way that is fiscally responsible.” Saad Qazi, a second-year international student, thinks a strike would be damaging to the university’s image and reputation if contract negotiations fail.
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With the successful negotiations of six collective agreements in the last 12 months, Wildeman is confident that a favourable outcome can be negotiated this time as well. “We made a real effort over the last three years to communicate in a systematic way about the university budget, and I believe when we get negotiations going next week ... we’ll be able to end up with a deal that works for all of us.” For updates to this ongoing story, visit the Lance’s website at uwindsorlance. ca. Official updates can also be found at wufa.ca and uwindsor.ca/bargaining.
opinion complaining about complaining p.08