Ratification Vote Result: 91% in favour of ratification of the proposed Collective Agreement.

Faculty members, AAS members, Sessional Members, and Librarians of the University of Windsor continue to be committed to protecting the interests of students and to enabling our students to fulfil their program requirements and obtain credits for courses successfully completed. The details of how these goals will be achieved will be worked out between Deans and WUFA members and will be communicated to students as soon as possible, perhaps on Monday Oct. 6, 2008.

Principles/Guidelines for Faculty Returning to Class

As a general principle, students should not be punished or disadvantaged students as a result of the strike. More specifically, the following recommendations should be taken into account by WUFA members returning to the classroom:

1) Faculty should consult and discuss changes to the course outline with students in each class, seeking consensus to the extent possible.

2) Students should not be penalized for not completing by Oct. 6, 2008 any assignments, labs, readings or tests that were scheduled during the strike period. Course instructors retain the right to reasonably reschedule assignments, labs, readings or tests according to class needs and the protocol agreed by WUFA and the Administration.

3) Students should not be tested on or responsible for material that has not yet been covered in class.

4) A reasonable period of time should be provided for any assignments due soon after the strike period has ended.

5) Members should demonstrate flexibility and fairness in reassigning due dates and weights to course requirements.

 

The Strike in Pictures, check it out here.

Windsor Deserves More. (QuickTime movie file)

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Open House: Students and Parents Came. WUFA Listened

WINDSOR, Ont. – Hundreds of students and parents attended an Open House on  Sept. 28 hosted by WUFA, which went on strike Sept. 17.

“I want to know why the administration isn't willing to negotiate,” said first-year labour studies student Vasilije Stajic.

Education student Brad Sacret condemned proposed salary clawbacks. “It would lead to lower quality and qualifications and change public education in Canada,” he said.

“There's too much administration, too many people making too much money,” observed Sherrie Meloche, a concerned parent. ”Students shouldn't be affected.”

Striker Linda Feldman tried to reassure students worried about looming deadlines. “After the strike, we will work to ensure students are not disadvantaged,” she said.

 
WUFA president Brian E. Brown said the event was a huge success. “Students, parents and community members were able to approach us with their concerns. Like us, they're frustrated by the situation. After talking with us, parents and students understood the reasons for the strike.”

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The dreaded CPU

Faster than a processor, shrewder than a something very shrewd, more engaging than engagement itself ... the Counter-Propaganda Unit [CPU] is up, running, and moving quite a bit more swiftly than a consternated badger. With the help of representatives from CUPE National, a diligent group of members have devoted themselves to communications strategy. They have a wealth of ideas and a strong mandate; we should be able to communicate with our members and with the world more quickly. Thanks to David Michor, from CUPE, and all the hardworking members of the CPU.  You can reach the CPU via cybersense@gmail.com.

 

 

Here is what we say:

The Windsor University Faculty Association (WUFA) believes the residents of the Windsor-Essex region deserve a first-class university.  Three out of four University students come from this region.  A university education is their most reliable path to a good paying, secure job.

This is our first strike in twenty-six years.

We do not take this action lightly.
We believe the quality of education at the University of Windsor is at stake.

Fair wages

In a highly competitive labour market, with a shortage of qualified academic faculty, we are shocked by the administration’s decision to undermine the “Windsor Salary Standard.” WUFA’s goal is to maintain that Standard.
For the last 26 years, the Windsor Salary Standard has ensured our wage parity by keeping University of Windsor faculty and librarians at the mid-point salary range of Ontario universities. 
We want to expand the same wage protection to our coaches, teaching specialists, and part-time instructors.
Fair wages attract good faculty, and good faculty are essential for quality education and a positive learning environment.
Without fair wages, new faculty may start their careers here but will leave when they find their wages lagging behind those of their colleagues at other universities.

PTR (Promotion through the Ranks)

Promotion through the Ranks is not bonus pay.
PTR is paid in recognition of the on-the-job training that is a feature of university work.  Pay-for-knowledge wage systems, such as ours, are common in professional work in both public and private sectors.
PTR is necessary because academics start their careers late and complete a 5 year probationary period. At the University of Windsor, the average age of academic staff appointed to their first full-time job is 37, after 8-10 years of post-secondary education and accumulated student debt. 
The administration’s proposed cutbacks to our PTR will have a profound effect on the future wages of our members. Until now, no other university administration in the country has betrayed this principle by threatening to cut back PTR.

September 2008 OCUFA Data Detailing PTR at Various Universities in Ontario:

 

Fiscal Mismanagement

For the last 26 years, the university administration could afford fair salaries for its faculty. Where has the money gone? 
•    More and more administrators
•    More and more layers of bureaucracy
•    More and more outside consultants
•    The forty-six top paid administrators earn $7 million at University of Windsor
•    A new logo and a million dollar branding campaign we did not need

With no administrative transparency or accountability, we don’t know where all the money went.
The fiscal mismanagement of the university administration should NOT be resolved on the backs of the faculty, academic ancillary staff, and librarians at University of Windsor!

Windsor University Faculty Association
We are the full-time faculty, sessional instructors,  academic ancillary staff, and librarians at the University of Windsor: WUFA.
Help Us Reach a Negotiated Settlement

 WUFA • Benign Unless Provoked