Tentative agreement reached in U of M strike; classes could resume Tuesday
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) announced on Monday morning that it has reached a tentative agreement with university’s administration, which could put an end to the 35-day strike.
UMFA made the announcement in a news release, saying the tentative agreement is still subject to a secret ballot ratification vote during the union’s special general meeting, which is set to take place on Monday evening.
Should UMFA members vote to ratify, University of Manitoba (U of M) students will be back in class on Tuesday morning.
UMFA’s executive council has unanimously recommended ratification of the tentative agreement, which the union says prioritizes staff retention, and improved working and learning conditions.
Orvie Dingwall, UMFA president, said in a news release that the union’s members have “stood together to protect the independence and future of our university.”
“We have refused to let the provincial government’s interference reduce the competitiveness of Manitoba’s only research-intensive university,” she said.
“Because of the support from students, and the solidarity from supporters of public education, we have been able to reach a tentative agreement that prioritizes recruitment and retention.”
The results of the ratification vote will be released after public polls close at 11:30 p.m. on Monday. Details of the tentative agreement will be made public pending the result of the vote.
In a statement, the university said the negotiating teams made progress on key issues.
The U of M said its bargaining team is grateful to the mediator and to UMFA for working together to find a solution,
Michael Benarroch, U of M president and vice-chancellor, said it has been a challenging time for the community, adding that it’s time to move forward.
“We are aligned in our commitment to the mission and vision of Manitoba’s research university and to creating an exceptional work and learning environment,” he said.
“To our students, this has been especially hard on you. As we resume classes and interrupted research, we are committed to providing you with the support you need during this transition,”
He said he knows the strike has impacted students and affected their perceptions of the school, but the university is committed to providing a quick transition back to class so students can finish the academic year.
The U of M will provide more information about classes, exams and student support services later on Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.