*_M E M O R A N D U M_*
*Date:* October 10, 2007
*To:* Students
*From: * Deborah McCallum, Vice-President (Administration)
*Re: Strike Action by the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW)
at the University*
I wish to advise you that the University and CAW have not been
successful in reaching a collective agreement. Strike action by CAW
staff began today Wednesday, October 10. The CAW includes 480 physical
plant staff (caretakers, maintenance, trades, etc.), food service and
residence personnel.
The University will continue to operate as normal to the extent possible.
Classes will continue as scheduled. The libraries will remain open.
Students have the right to choose whether or not to cross the picket
line. The University will make efforts to reasonably accommodate the
student to ensure that the student is not discriminated against as a
result of their decision. However, students are responsible for
materials covered in class. These students should contact their
instructors to discuss reasonable accommodation.
All parties, including employees on strike and individuals crossing
picket lines, are responsible for refraining from illegal behaviour.
Please exercise patience and caution in crossing picket lines. Picket
line activity will be video taped and recorded for safety and security
purposes and will be made available to Winnipeg Police Service, if
necessary. If difficulties are experienced crossing the picket line
please contact Security Services at 474-9312. Rogers and MTS Mobility
cellular customers can also reach Security Services by dialing #555.
Food Services will be reduced, however some locations will remain open
as identified below. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch
during the strike.
Winnipeg Transit will operate and have indicated that they will cross
the picket line. However, staff and students are encouraged to allow
extra time to get to work and classes. The shuttle bus will also
operate but may experience some delays. Special arrangements have been
made to continue on campus (Fort Garry) transportation for students with
disabilities.
Regular custodial services are not available. Arrangements are in
progress to ensure the washroom facilities will be maintained. Garbage
bins are scheduled to be placed on campus and they will be emptied on a
regular basis. Cleaning of individual offices will not be provided.
Staff and student support in caring for the campus is appreciated. Maps
showing the location of the garbage bins will be posted across campus
and on the University web site.
Services will be provided so that the following sports facilities are
operational:
* Max Bell Ice Rink and Field House
* Investors Group Athletic Centre
* Joyce Fromson Pool
The surfaces of the stadium infield and the soccer practice fields will
be maintained.
An Information Hotline (943-8636) has been set up with a recorded
message to provide information to the community about the services of
the University during the strike. Additional inquiries can be made by
checking the University of Manitoba web site www.umanitoba.ca
<http://www.umanitoba.ca/> or by contacting the strike call centre
during regular working hours at 474-9963.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
cc Dr. E.J.E. Szathmáry
Dr. R. Kerr
Dr. J. Keselman
Ms E. Goldie
*_M E M O R A N D U M_*
*Date:* October 10, 2007
*To:* Students
*From: * Deborah McCallum, Vice-President (Administration)
*Re: Strike Action by the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW)
at the University*
I wish to advise you that the University and CAW have not been
successful in reaching a collective agreement. Strike action by CAW
staff began today Wednesday, October 10. The CAW includes 480 physical
plant staff (caretakers, maintenance, trades, etc.), food service and
residence personnel.
The University will continue to operate as normal to the extent possible.
Classes will continue as scheduled. The libraries will remain open.
Students have the right to choose whether or not to cross the picket
line. The University will make efforts to reasonably accommodate the
student to ensure that the student is not discriminated against as a
result of their decision. However, students are responsible for
materials covered in class. These students should contact their
instructors to discuss reasonable accommodation.
All parties, including employees on strike and individuals crossing
picket lines, are responsible for refraining from illegal behaviour.
Please exercise patience and caution in crossing picket lines. Picket
line activity will be video taped and recorded for safety and security
purposes and will be made available to Winnipeg Police Service, if
necessary. If difficulties are experienced crossing the picket line
please contact Security Services at 474-9312. Rogers and MTS Mobility
cellular customers can also reach Security Services by dialing #555.
Food Services will be reduced, however some locations will remain open
as identified below. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch
during the strike.
Winnipeg Transit will operate and have indicated that they will cross
the picket line. However, staff and students are encouraged to allow
extra time to get to work and classes. The shuttle bus will also
operate but may experience some delays. Special arrangements have been
made to continue on campus (Fort Garry) transportation for students with
disabilities.
Regular custodial services are not available. Arrangements are in
progress to ensure the washroom facilities will be maintained. Garbage
bins are scheduled to be placed on campus and they will be emptied on a
regular basis. Cleaning of individual offices will not be provided.
Staff and student support in caring for the campus is appreciated. Maps
showing the location of the garbage bins will be posted across campus
and on the University web site.
Services will be provided so that the following sports facilities are
operational:
* Max Bell Ice Rink and Field House
* Investors Group Athletic Centre
* Joyce Fromson Pool
The surfaces of the stadium infield and the soccer practice fields will
be maintained.
An Information Hotline (943-8636) has been set up with a recorded
message to provide information to the community about the services of
the University during the strike. Additional inquiries can be made by
checking the University of Manitoba web site www.umanitoba.ca
<http://www.umanitoba.ca/> or by contacting the strike call centre
during regular working hours at 474-9963.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
cc Dr. E.J.E. Szathmáry
Dr. R. Kerr
Dr. J. Keselman
Ms E. Goldie
--
Deborah J. McCallum
Vice-President (Administration)
Debbie_McCallum(a)UManitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9777 FAX: 204-261-1318
TO ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF
The University and CAW have been bargaining since September 24th in an effort to reach a
new Collective Agreement. On October 3, 2007 the University applied for conciliation when
negotiations reached an impasse. The CAW membership voted in favour of establishing a
strike deadline of midnight Tuesday, October 9, 2007. Should negotiations be unsuccessful
in reaching a collective agreement by that date, strike action by CAW staff could take place
as early as Wednesday, October 10.
The CAW represents approximately 480 University employees in the maintenance trades,
powerhouse, general services (truck deliveries, snow clearing, garbage pick up, etc.),
grounds, caretaking, residences and food services.
In the event of a strike, the University will continue normal operations to the extent possible.
Although a CAW labour action may have some impact on aspects of University operations, it
is not expected to have a direct impact on the delivery of academic programs.
In the event of a strike the following standard employment procedures apply:
1. During a strike all employees have a legal right to work:
* All employees have a legal right to cross a picket line and come
to work.
* Those employees on strike may choose to come to work or not come
to work.
* Those employees not on strike, including those employees covered
by collective agreements other than CAW agreement and excluded
employees, have a legal right to work as well as an obligation to
come to work.
2. Employees who do not come to work will not be paid and may be subject to discipline.
3. Any picket line incidents or problems should be reported immediately to the University
Security Services (474-9312). Rogers and MTS Mobility cellular customers can also
reach Security by dialing #555.
In the event of a strike, students should be aware of the following:
1. Classes, lectures and labs will continue as scheduled unless otherwise announced.
2. Libraries will remain open.
3. Winnipeg Transit and the University shuttle bus will continue to operate.
4. Some services around campus (eg. Food Services, custodial) will be reduced. Should a
strike occur, more information will be made available.
5. Residence food service and cleaning will be provided by non-union staff.
6. Any picket line incidents or problems should be reported immediately to the University
Security Services (474-9312). Rogers and MTS Mobility cellular customers can also reach
Security by dialing #555.
In the event of a strike, more information will be provided to you through the University web
site, e-mail communications and an information hotline at the earliest possible opportunity on
Wednesday October 10.
--
Deborah J. McCallum
Vice-President (Administration)
Debbie_McCallum(a)UManitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9777 FAX: 204-261-1318