(Ottawa – November 2, 2021) The University of Manitoba Faculty Association is on strike after negotiations with the employer reached an impasse.

“The Government of Manitoba needs to abandon its interference in bargaining and the University needs to invest in the future of our faculty and our university,” said Orvie Dingwall, President of UMFA. "Our members are united with students in demanding fair wages and free bargaining – our working conditions are their learning conditions.”

A record-setting 85 percent of UMFA’s members voted in favour of strike action. Wages of UMFA members rank second-last of Canada’s largest 15 research universities.

“CAUT stands resolutely behind UMFA members who deserve better than below-inflation wage increases dictated by a provincial government intent on undermining free and fair collective bargaining,” said CAUT Executive Director David Robinson. “The University of Manitoba administration and the government of Manitoba should know that the entire CAUT membership and the academic labour movement across the country stands with UMFA.”

UMFA is the certified bargaining agent for 1,240 full-time professors, librarians, lecturers, and instructors at the University of Manitoba. CAUT is the national voice of more than 72,000 academic and professional staff in 125 colleges and universities, and institutes across the country.