UMFA ends 35-day strike; classes to resume at U of M
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) has ended its 35-day strike after ratifying the tentative agreement.
In a news release issued on Tuesday morning, the union said students and faculty will be heading back to class this morning.
According to UMFA, the new agreement improves maternity and parental leave benefits, and establishes a family resource position. Compensation will be determined through binding arbitration, which will ignore government mandates.
Orvie Dingwall, UMFA president, said in a news release that the union members were on strike in order to improve working and learning conditions.
“This agreement will improve equity for the lowest paid and most precarious UMFA members, while also ensuring that we can recruit and retain professors, instructors, and librarians at the University of Manitoba,” she said.
UMFA noted that 969 of its 1,264 members voted in the ratification vote, with 881 voting in favour and 88 opposed.
In a statement, Michael Benarroch, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manitoba (U of M), said the work of the school’s faculty members is important, as it improves health outcomes for people around the world; drives Manitoba’s economic, social and cultural success; and supports the education of U of M students.
He noted the strike was a challenging time for the community.
“I regret the impact of the labour disruption on our students and recognize there is a great deal of work ahead in setting the academic year back on course,” Benarroch said.
“We now have an opportunity to learn from this experience and recommit to the exceptional work and learning environment to which we all aspire.”
Benarroch said the path forward won’t be easy.
“As we move forward, we must commit to communicate openly, listen to one other, and engage in respectful dialogue to better address the challenges before us,” he said.
“I think it is important to reflect on our negotiation process and ensure that our approach to bargaining is meeting our shared needs.”
He said the university is focused on welcoming everyone back and making sure the community is supported through the transition.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Security Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
BREAKING Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
'Wild, wild west.' Families say organs of deceased Alabama inmates have been removed without their consent
The state Department of Corrections and the University of Alabama at Birmingham face disturbing allegations from the families of five inmates whose organs were removed and reportedly kept without consent, according to a series of lawsuits.