Every month we send our supporters a newsletter with the latest CAUT and post-secondary education sector news. This newsletter was published on September 28, 2023. Subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox.
In this issue:
- CAUT ramps up advocacy efforts as legislators return to Parliament Hill
- CAUT Bulletin celebrates its 70th birthday
- Brescia and Western academic staff associations condemn planned merger
- Saint-Boniface academic staff ratify new collective agreement
- Support Northern Ontario School of Medicine academic staff
- Western University librarians and archivists unanimously support strike
- University of Toronto academic staff awarded 7% salary increase
CAUT ramps up advocacy efforts as legislators return to Parliament Hill
Members of CAUT’s executive committee joined the #GlobalClimateStrike organized by Fridays for Future on Parliament Hill, three days before Members of Parliament returned to the House of Commons for the fall session. CAUT President Peter McInnis and Vice-President Robin Whitaker spoke to Canada's National Observer during the strike to express concern about Canada’s climate emergency and a just transition.
Registration is currently open for CAUT’s annual Parliament Hill Day, a series of one-on-one conversations between CAUT delegates, parliamentarians, and Senators on November 23, just prior to the CAUT Council meeting. This is an opportunity for academic staff to present to legislators what the federal government can do to ensure adequate funding for post-secondary education and research and protect universities and colleges from federal bankruptcy and insolvency laws.
If you have any questions about Parliament Hill Day, please contact Mylène Freeman, Policy and Government Relations Officer, at freeman@caut.ca.
CAUT is also encouraging members to take part in the annual Fair Employment Week (FEW) from October 16 to October 20. CAUT encourages academic staff associations to plan visible actions during FEW to highlight efforts to improve the working conditions of contract academic staff.
Visit the CAUT website for FEW resources and more information on activities your local association can organize, including CAUT’s social media day of action on October 18.
If you have any questions or would like support in your organizing and campaign planning efforts, please contact Anne-Marie Roy, Senior Organizing & Education Officer, at a.roy@caut.ca.
CAUT met with the office of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller to express concern about the proposed cap on the number of international students permitted to study in Canada and offer insights on the Trusted Institutions Framework proposal aimed at expediting study permits. CAUT emphasized the need for the government to take action against unethical recruiters exploiting international students and reminded the Minister’s office of the bigger problem with post-secondary education – a lack of public funding.
CAUT Bulletin celebrates its 70th birthday
The CAUT Bulletin, Canada’s voice for academics, turned 70 this year. The September-October anniversary edition marks another milestone in the ongoing transformation of the magazine. The CAUT Bulletin will now be published four times a year, featuring more original content and diverse academic staff voices.
Brescia and Western academic staff associations condemn planned merger
The academic staff associations at Western University and Brescia University College are condemning their administrations for negotiating a merger agreement. Both associations were blindsided by the announcement and say the planned merger bypasses collegial governance structures and violates terms of their collective agreements. Brescia is an affiliated college of Western, but if the merger goes through it would cease operations after the current academic year.
Saint-Boniface academic staff ratify new collective agreement
Members of the Association des professeur.e.s et des professionnel.le.s de l'Université de Saint-Boniface (APPUSB) ratified a new collective agreement after several months of negotiation and mediation. The new agreement includes a general 8% wage increase over four years as well as salary scale adjustments and a substantial raise for contract academic staff. The agreement was reached after APPUSB members voted 93% in favour in June to support a strike mandate for their bargaining team.
Support the Northern Ontario School of Medicine academic staff
CAUT is asking members to support the bargaining efforts of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University Faculty and Staff Association (NUFSA), by sending an email to senior university administrators urging them to negotiate a fair contract.
Last month, NUFSA members voted 100% in favour of a strike mandate. “NUFSA members’ overwhelming strike mandate is a clear indication that medical education faculty and professional staff are willing to take the measures necessary to protect teaching and learning conditions at NOSM U, up to and including a strike,” said Darrel Manitowabi, NUFSA President, in a media release.
Western University librarians and archivists unanimously support strike
On September 17, librarians and archivists at Western University voted 100% in favour of a strike mandate. Key issues in negotiations with the university administration include workload, salary inequities, and recruitment and retention.
“There is nothing that can be done at this university without librarians and archivists. All teaching and research are enabled and sustained by their labour. The oftentimes invisibility of this labour can make it feel like magic. It is not. It is work,” said Rachel Heydon, president of the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association, in a media release.
University of Toronto academic staff awarded 7% salary increase
On September 6, Arbitrator Eli A. Gedalof awarded University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA) academic staff an additional 7% salary increase to their previous collective agreement. The administration had proposed a 1.75% increase. The arbitration comes after Bill 124, which capped Ontario public sector wage increases at 1% for three years, was overturned by the Ontario Superior Court.
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