UM presented UMFA with a strong offer that included a two-year monetary proposal with both general salary increases across the board and changes to the salary structure that would increase salaries an average of 9.5% over two years and substantially increase lifetime earnings of members. UMFA has rejected the offer and indicated its intention to strike.
UM and UMFA representatives began negotiating a new collective agreement on Aug. 5 – and after 18 meetings, both parties agreed to move to mediation. UMFA set a bargaining deadline and mediation ended today without an agreement. UM is willing to continue with mediation, however UMFA has indicated that it will proceed with a strike on Nov. 2.
"We are disappointed that UMFA has rejected our offer and moved to strike," says President and Vice-Chancellor, Michael Benarroch. "We strongly believe it's a fair deal as it would allow us to recruit new faculty with more competitive offers, support faculty retention, and ensure faculty wages remain competitive with their U15 counterparts as they advance in their careers. We hope to be back at the table soon."
Throughout the negotiations, UMFA has continued to seek salary compensation from the university for what UMFA says was lost from 2016 to 2020. As part of a lawsuit against the government, UMFA is seeking damages for lost wages for that period and expenses from the 2016 strike. UM is not part of that litigation. The courts will hear UMFA's claim in November 2021 and decide on damages payable to UMFA by the government. UM does not believe it is appropriate for UMFA to seek this compensation from both the university and the government.
"The university has bargained in good faith throughout the last few months and has tabled several offers, all in an attempt to reach an agreement," says Provost and Vice-President Academic, Diane Hiebert-Murphy. "Our latest offer is truly a strong offer that will provide meaningful increases to all UMFA members in the long term, as well as address recruitment and retention issues and provide for stability to the university community."
Students and staff can find information pertaining to university operations on the strike websitehttps://umanitoba.ca/strike-information/ which will be updated daily throughout the labour disruption.
Read more on UM Todayhttps://news.umanitoba.ca/umfa-rejects-ums-latest-offer-and-moves-to-strike/.