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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.