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University of Manitoba asks UMFA to allow vote on latest offer; weekend conciliation unsuccessful
by UM Student E-Mail Accounts 14 Nov '16

14 Nov '16

Conciliation between the University of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) came to an unsuccessful end Sunday afternoon. The University immediately called on the UMFA negotiating team to take the University of Manitoba offer to UMFA members for a ratification vote before November 16, in an effort to minimize any further disruption to students' academic schedules. The University will continue calling for a vote in order to precipitate an end to the strike, which is about to enter its third week. "It is our belief that the UMFA negotiating team will not accept anything the University offers," explained John Kearsey, Vice-President (External) at the University of Manitoba. "They rejected our March offer, intended to allow them to settle before a possible change in government. They rejected our September 13 offer, which provided salary increases of seven per cent over four years. They rejected offers we made during mediation, with a mediator they chose. They rejected offers we made during conciliation. It has been disheartening, to say the least. We are bargaining with ourselves. Given the circumstances, we feel compelled to ask the UMFA negotiating team to present the University's offer to UMFA members for a vote. We want this strike to end. Our students want this strike to end." The conciliator's report is expected early this week. "UMFA negotiators have told us that two issues remain to be resolved, both of which the University indicated during conciliation that it would be willing - in the interest of ending the strike - to have sent to arbitration. This, too, was rejected by UMFA negotiators. It's extremely frustrating, particularly as we watch the distress this is causing our students." The University is advocating for the UMFA negotiating team to take the University offer to its members for a ratification vote before November 16, at which time further impacts on the academic schedule are triggered. Students are advised to continue checking umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo<http://umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo/> for updates on the strike, changes to the academic schedule, a list of continuing classes and answers to common questions.

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Changes to the Academic Schedule
by UM Student E-Mail Accounts 10 Nov '16

10 Nov '16

[cid:image001.jpg@01CEC4DE.C0FA5C60] Dear students, Today, Senate, the governing body of the University, approved changes to the academic schedule resulting from the ongoing UMFA strike. Because the length of the strike will determine the extent of changes required, four scenarios with detailed plans were presented and approved. All approved plans can be found at http://umanitoba.ca/admin/strike_info/academic-schedule-changes.html, and include potential adjustments to the Voluntary Withdrawal date, exam period, the end of Fall Term and start of Winter Term. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the revised schedules at this time. As you will see, we are now at a point where the strike will impact this academic year, and the longer the strike continues, the greater that impact will be. We understand this is a challenging situation for many of you. Please know we continue to listen to your concerns, and that across the campus, members of our community are working diligently to ensure you have every opportunity to complete a successful academic year. As always, we encourage you to continue checking www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo<http://www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo> for important updates to the FAQs, the official list of continuing classes, and other important information. If you have any questions not answered there, you can always contact us through the site or by emailing strikeinfo(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:strikeinfo@umanitoba.ca>. Thank you again for your patience and understanding. Susan Gottheil Vice-Provost (Students)

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Important Strike Information
by UM Student E-Mail Accounts 10 Nov '16

10 Nov '16

[cid:5d5c073f-844d-40c0-8443-ff08227275f3]<https://youtu.be/1rsqTV_6c9w> https://youtu.be/1rsqTV_6c9w Forging a collaborative path forward Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Janice Ristock shares message with community on UMFA strike Two issues are at the heart of the strike by the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) - workload and research metrics. In an interview this week, the University of Manitoba's Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Janice Ristock addressed these concerns, and her hopes to find common ground and a positive path forward for students, staff and faculty. On the issue of workload, Ristock noted that UMFA's current proposal would create a lengthy, cumbersome process - and one that is not viable as it would take away the Deans' role to determine workloads. Under the UMFA proposal a Dean would decide on a teaching policy and bring that forward to faculty members, who would vote on it by secret ballot. If faculty voted against the teaching policy, the Dean would have to revise it and present a second version for another secret ballot vote. If that version was also rejected, it would then go to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and the executive director of UMFA for resolution. "If we're unable to come to an agreement, then it would go to an external arbitrator who is not a member of our community and who is not an academic," said Ristock. "To me, it's not a viable process. It's a process that is very time--consuming and if it gets to the stage of an arbitrator, it's also very costly." In contrast to UMFA's proposal, Ristock drew attention to the importance of the roles of Deans, and their broad consideration of students and faculty. "Deans have the responsibility to consider the academic programs in a unit, to consider the needs of students, the timetable," she said, "and they also have a responsibility to consider the other aspects of an individual professor's workload - research and service commitments." These considerations have to be made on an individual basis, she added. Ristock notes the University has proposed a fund, worth $1.5 million, to help with teaching workloads by providing opportunities to hire a range of support for faculty, including teaching assistants, graders/markers and sessional instructors. In its compromise offer, the University has also proposed creating a joint committee with faculty to examine faculty members' concerns over workload increases due to administrative duties. "We have been listening to the concerns expressed about administrative workloads and have offered a solution to begin to address those issues," said Ristock. "It's a point where we can begin discussions." An additional fund of $500,000 would support implementing recommendations by the joint committee for real improvements to administrative burdens. On the issue of research metrics, Ristock noted that UMFA appears concerned the University may in the future impose research metrics on performance evaluations and decisions around tenure and promotion. "I think it's important to clarify that currently there are no provisions in the collective agreement that speak to the use of research metrics, nor do any of the faculties' tenure and promotion criteria impose the use of research metrics in making assessments," she said. The University has reasserted that research metrics will not be used as a substitute for comprehensive assessment. "The University's position is that it has to be a decision amongst colleagues to decide whether or not it's appropriate to use research metrics as one indicator of the quality of research - and that's very discipline-specific," said Ristock. "There's not one research metric that can be used to assess all research. And we think it's also very important to say that research metrics alone can never be a substitute for a thorough assessment based on the quality and the quantity of research output." Ristock urged faculty members and members of the community to read the University of Manitoba's latest proposal<http://umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/staff_relations/media/UM_Proposal…>.

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Strike Information Update for Students
by UM Student E-Mail Accounts 09 Nov '16

09 Nov '16

[cid:image001.jpg@01CEC4DE.C0FA5C60] Dear students, As the University and UMFA move through the second week of labour negotiations, we recognize and share your concerns about the impact the ongoing labour disruption will have on your studies. We expect there will be adjustments to the Voluntary Withdrawal date, exam period and the end of Fall Term, and there could possibly be a change to the start of Winter Term, depending on the length of the strike. Senate is responsible for approving any of these changes and will meet tomorrow. We will share Senate's decisions as soon as they are made. The longer the strike continues, the greater the impact on the academic year. We are listening to you, and working together with our colleagues across campus to find solutions, answer your questions and provide information to address the challenges you face. In the meantime, please continue to consult umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo<file:///C:\Users\foggt\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary%20Internet%20Files\Content.Outlook\KH4M9USD\umanitoba.ca\strikeinfo> for updates to the FAQs, the official list of continuing classes, and other important information. If you have any questions not answered there, please contact us through the site or by emailing strikeinfo(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:strikeinfo@umanitoba.ca>. Thank you for your ongoing patience during this difficult time. The response from students has been intelligent and respectful. I feel honoured to serve this community, and I know I'm not alone. Susan Gottheil, Vice-Provost (Students)

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Update on Mid-Term Exams and Holiday Closure
by UM Student E-Mail Accounts 04 Nov '16

04 Nov '16

[cid:image001.jpg@01CEC4DE.C0FA5C60] Dear students, Conciliation between the University of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba Faculty Association is ongoing, and we are hopeful that we can reach a positive conclusion soon. Your successful completion of this academic term is our top priority. You have told us that one of your top concerns is mid-term exams. If your class/section is on the official list of continuing classes (http://umanitoba.ca/registrar/status_of_classes.html), your mid-term exams may take place as scheduled. Check with your instructor. If your class/section is not on the official list of continuing classes, you are not responsible for any coursework for this course while the labour disruption continues-including mid-term exams. Mid-term exams for these classes/sections will not take place during the strike, but may be rescheduled at the completion of the strike. Mid-term exams for classes resuming at the end of a strike will not be held on the first day a course re-starts. An appropriate schedule to make up for lost time in courses will be determined once they appear on the list of courses being offered, or at the end of the strike. Please check the official list of continuing classes often as it will be updated regularly. We are also able to confirm that the holiday break will proceed as originally planned. The University will be closed from December 23, 2016 to January 2, 2017. We are working hard to answer all questions you may have through our FAQs and the strikeinfo(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:strikeinfo@umanitoba.ca> email. We know that many of you have other questions that we haven't yet answered-for example, the voluntary withdrawal deadline and the impact of the strike on the final examination schedule, as well as how much notice you will have before returning to class once an agreement between the University and UMFA has been reached. We are doing our best to answer these important questions, and will pass on that information as soon as we can. Please continue to refer to www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo<http://www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo> for the latest updates and answers to your frequently asked questions. We want to help guide and support you during this time of uncertainty. We are hoping for an agreement to be reached as quickly as you are. Susan Gottheil, Vice-Provost (Students)

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Message sent on behalf of Dr. Joanne Keselman - Interim Vice-President (Administration)
by UM Student E-Mail Accounts 04 Nov '16

04 Nov '16

[cid:image001.jpg@01D236B3.B117AB50] We have received a number of inquiries regarding the University closure over the holiday break. I would like to confirm that the University will be closed December 23 - January 2 as originally scheduled. For other strike-related questions, please continue to visit umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo regularly for updated information. If you have questions that aren't answered in the FAQs, there is a place for you to submit your questions online. Thank you.

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Student Update
by UM Student E-Mail Accounts 03 Nov '16

03 Nov '16

[cid:image001.jpg@01CEC4DE.C0FA5C60] Dear students, You remain our top priority as the University of Manitoba continues conciliation with the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) this afternoon. We recognize that as the strike continues, you will have concerns. We also know you have questions related to topics such as the upcoming voluntary withdrawal date, exam schedules, and the December holiday break and are working to get you answers as soon as possible. Our goal remains to minimize the impact to the academic year. The official list of continuing classes continues to be updated regularly, so please check back often. Information on www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo<http://www.umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo> is also updated regularly in response to questions we are receiving from you and with the latest news and information surrounding the strike. Any questions that aren't already answered, can be submitted through the site or by emailing strikeinfo(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:strikeinfo@umanitoba.ca>. We are hopeful for a positive conclusion to conciliation and will inform you in the event of any updates. Susan Gottheil Vice-Provost (Students)

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An Update for Students
by UM Student E-Mail Accounts 01 Nov '16

01 Nov '16

[cid:image001.jpg@01CEC4DE.C0FA5C60] Dear Students, As you know, UMFA members are on strike as of this morning. The University remains open and many classes, as well as student activities and services continue. There could be delays getting onto campus, so give yourself extra time getting here. For a list of available student services, please click here<http://news.umanitoba.ca/strike-info-for-the-campus-community/>, and for the official list of continuing classes, please click here<http://umanitoba.ca/registrar/status_of_classes.html> - be advised that this list will be updated regularly, so check back often. We're sure you have many questions during this time - please visit umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo<http://umanitoba.ca/strikeinfo/> to see answers to commonly asked questions. Should you have questions that aren't answered in the FAQs, there is a place for you to submit those on the site as well, and we will do our best to answer in a timely manner. Thank you for your understanding, and know that we are here to support you during this time. Susan Gottheil, Vice-Provost (Students)

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Status of Classes During UMFA Strike
by UM Student E-Mail Accounts 31 Oct '16

31 Oct '16

[cid:image001.jpg@01CEC4DE.C0FA5C60] 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)

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University disappointed UMFA rejected counter proposal
by UM Student E-Mail Accounts 31 Oct '16

31 Oct '16

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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