The Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa (APUO) reached a two-year tentative agreement with the university administration in January.

“We consider this to be the best possible agreement under the current circumstances,” said APUO’s negotiating team in a bargaining update. A ratification vote will be held on February 13.

The deal averts a strike planned for February. Over 80 per cent of APUO members voted in favour of strike action if the administration did not offer a fair deal. The strike would have been the first in the association’s history.

The agreement came after seven months of bargaining including three “intensive” days of conciliation in January.

APUO was looking to secure a contract that prioritizes quality education and research, collegial governance, sustainable workloads, equity and fair compensation.

The association represents 1,335 full-time professors, librarians, language teachers, and continuing special appointment professors.