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The University of Manitoba has a plan in place should the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) commence a strike November 1, 2016, as they have indicated.
You continue to be our highest priority. We are committed to seeking a settlement with UMFA to ensure there is as minimal as possible disruption to the term.
Please note:
* The University remains open and will continue with normal operations to the extent possible.
* The Status of Classes website<http://umanitoba.ca/registrar/status_of_classes.html> will have the official list of continuing classes. Check the site often as classes may be added or removed as information becomes available.
* You are responsible for classes that are on the official list, and for any ongoing activities including classes, labs, tutorials, practica, clinical assignments, studios, tests and assignments identified through consultation with your faculty school or college.
* Any classes that are not continuing will resume at the conclusion of the strike.
* Check the official strike information website<http://umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo/> frequently for updated information and answers to common questions.
We will provide you with information as soon as possible should there be any major updates.
Thank you for your patience during this time.
Susan Gottheil,
Vice-Provost (Students)
University seeks conciliation in effort to prevent strike and reach a settlement
The University of Manitoba is asking the Province to appoint a conciliator to resolve outstanding issues with the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA).
Last night, UMFA walked away from a weekend of mediation - with a mediator selected by the faculty association - and presented the University with a final offer. This morning at 11:30 a.m. the University responded with a counter proposal that addressed substantive issues raised by the faculty association with respect to teaching load and performance metrics. The University also asked UMFA to extend the strike deadline to fully consider the counter proposal.
UMFA rejected the University's counter proposal.
"We are committed to doing everything possible to find a solution so that student learning is not compromised," said John Kearsey, Vice-President (External).
UMFA is scheduled to begin strike action Tuesday morning. The University continues to explore all possible options to prevent a disruption to students.
"The University of Manitoba is disappointed that UMFA has rejected yet another attempt to enable our students to continue the academic year without disruption. UMFA rejected the University's salary offer in March, a comprehensive offer of settlement in September, and now, after a weekend of mediation, there has been no progress," Kearsey says.
He added, "It is regrettable that UMFA has chosen to strike when so many attempts have been made to take a different path forward."
The University understands that students will have concerns - and support is available. The University will remain open during a strike and an official list of continuing classes, as well as a series of common questions, is posted at umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo<http://news.umanitoba.ca/mymail/54579/00000000000000000000000000000000/aHR0…>.
Everyone within the University community takes seriously the impact of a strike on students, faculty and staff for the long-term sustainability of the University. We know this interest is shared by everyone who is part of the University community.
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As we go into the weekend, the University of Manitoba and University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) continue to work together through mediation to help bring collective agreement negotiations to a positive and timely conclusion.
UMFA has announced a strike date of November 1. This means that should a settlement not be reached, UMFA members could go on strike as of Tuesday morning.
We understand that you may have concerns about how this could affect you.
At this time, plan to attend your classes and other campus activities as usual - the University remains open.
Visit www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo<http://www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo> for answers to many of your questions. As information becomes available, it will be posted on www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo<http://www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo> and any major updates will be communicated to you by email.
You remain our highest priority and we are committed to communicating with you in a timely fashion. As soon as an update is available, we will inform you - hopefully with news that a settlement has been reached.
Susan Gottheil,
Vice-Provost (Students)
This message is being sent from Mark Hudson, President, UMFA, and David Barnard, President, University of Manitoba to all members of the University of Manitoba community
After one day of productive mediation, the University of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) have agreed to communicate jointly to the University community about a dramatic recent development in our ongoing efforts to negotiate a new collective agreement.
>From the University of Manitoba's perspective: Over the past several days, the Province has made clear to the University that it has established fresh mandate parameters that seek cooperation in achieving a compensation "pause" throughout the public sector. Public bodies, including the University of Manitoba, are being asked to extend existing contracts for an additional year at zero per cent in order to stabilize public sector compensation levels.
We now find ourselves in the unusual circumstance of having a newly articulated Provincial mandate regarding public sector compensation levels that will have a profound impact on the final compensation levels that we will be able to negotiate, despite having already made what we believe to be a fair and reasonable offer on September 13, 2016.
The University of Manitoba is indeed challenged by these circumstances coming at the end of what has been a difficult but advancing series of discussions since March 2016.
>From the University of Manitoba Faculty Association's perspective: This 11th hour action represents illegitimate government interference in a constitutionally-protected process of collective bargaining. Mediation continues, and our focus is to advance our Members' priorities through that process. The UM is an independent body whose Board must have the autonomy to engage in all aspects of negotiation. The Province has unnecessarily endangered a complex negotiation through this misguided interference, and its action has jeopardized the educational goals of every UM student. UMFA is currently exploring legal options, and continues to focus on negotiating a fair deal for its members.
Bargaining has been presented with an unexpected complication, but both parties are resolved to continue discussions.
Our negotiations comprise many issues of grave importance to valued faculty members and these will be addressed as the mediation process continues this weekend.
Both parties recognize the impacts a strike can have on students and will work diligently to avoid such an outcome prior to the November 1 strike deadline. The University administration and UMFA take our responsibility to the larger University of Manitoba community very seriously. We are united in caring deeply about the University's mission to create, preserve and apply knowledge contributing to the well-being of this province, Canada and the world.
As both parties continue mediation throughout the weekend with a media blackout imposed by the mediator, there will be no further statements by either party.
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There have been a number of students at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry campus recently diagnosed with Mumps.
Mumps is spread by direct contact with the saliva of an infected person (e.g., from coughing, sneezing, sharing drinks (e.g. water bottles) or kissing). It could take up to 25 days after your last exposure before you develop symptoms.
What are the signs and symptoms of mumps?
Mumps often starts with cold-like symptoms:
* Swollen and tender glands at the jaw line on one or both sides of the face.
* Fever
* Headache and muscle aches
What should you do?
1. If you develop symptoms or signs suggestive of Mumps, limit contact with others and contact your health care provider. Phone ahead to alert the clinic that you suspect you may have mumps so that they can take adequate precautions to prevent spread to others
2. While awaiting diagnosis, you should limit contact with others until 5 days after the swollen glands first appear.
3. Check your immunization records to see if you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. You can contact your health care provider or public health office for assistance in accessing your records.
4. If you have not had two doses of MMR vaccine then you should either arrange for vaccination with your health care provider or contact your local public health office a to receive an immunization.
For further information please see:
Manitoba Health website: http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/mumps.html
Healthlinks: http://www.wrha.mb.ca/healthinfo/healthlinks/
University Health Service: http://umanitoba.ca/student/health/
Health and Wellness: http://umanitoba.ca/student/health-wellness/index.html
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Many of you are aware that the University administration and the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA), representing 1,212 professors, instructors, and librarians, have been bargaining for a new collective agreement for the past eight months. Last week UMFA asked its members to vote on possible strike action. Of the 1,212 UMFA members, 666 voted to support a strike mandate.
We understand that many of you may be concerned about the impact a potential labour disruption may have on your studies. Please be assured that the University is doing its best to reach a settlement and avoid a strike. The University of Manitoba's highest priority is to provide stability for students through the timely conclusion of an agreement with UMFA. The U of M and UMFA bargaining teams are continuing to meet this week.
In the meantime:
* All classes and other campus activities will continue as scheduled
* Frequently asked questions regarding a labour disruption and its effect on students will be posted and regularly updated at www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo<http://www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo>
* We are committed to providing you with up-to-date information as it becomes available. Updates will be communicated to you by the all-student email and will be available on the University website.
We are committed to keeping you informed while respecting the bargaining process. We will update you again as soon as possible. It is our hope that the next update can be an announcement of a settlement with UMFA.
Scheduled Server Maintenance and Security Patching
October 16th 00:00 - 12:00
Please be advised that scheduled server maintenance and security patching will be performed on Sunday, October 16th, between 00:00 and 12:00. While most applications will experience short intermittent outages, some applications may not be available until the end of the maintenance window.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Service desk if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Service Desk
Information Services & Technology
University of Manitoba
123 Fletcher Argue
230 Neil John MacLean Library
204-474-8600
Servicedesk(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:Servicedesk@umanitoba.ca>
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Attention: All University of Manitoba Students
Due to a mechanical system failure to the supply air system, the Buller Building will be closed effective 5 p.m., October 3rd, 2016 and will not reopen until further notice. Some fiberglass insulation was circulated through the supply air system and could potentially be an irritant. Physical Plant will be cleaning all the ductwork and surfaces of the building over the coming days.
Where possible, students will be provided a new location for classes and labs. Updates on the new interim locations will be available on this webpage<http://umanitoba.ca/registrar/status_of_classes.html>. At 7 a.m., October 4th, 2016 there will be a staging area set up at the main floor corridor linking the Buller Building to the Armes Building for those requiring short term access to the building to retrieve items from lockers, offices and laboratories. For additional information regarding access please call UM Security at 204-474-9312
The University will work 24/7 to minimize the disruption to classes and labs in the building. Updates will be sent out as soon as possible.
Some classes may need to be cancelled. Please monitor the webpage<http://umanitoba.ca/registrar/status_of_classes.html> for updates.