As we reported to MUNFA members last week, the MUNFA Executive Committee proposed to the University administration on November 15 that we sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreeing to no job action or lockout this semester.
Shortly after we sent our proposal to the administration, we got notice that the conciliator had filed his report on the Collective Bargaining impasse with the Minister for Advanced Education, Skills and Labour. The minister’s receipt of that report marked the start of a fifteen-day “cooling off” period. Assuming the Minister did not appoint a conciliation board or mediator, the union would be empowered to authorise a strike vote and, likewise, the employer would be permitted to initiate a lockout on December 1.
The administration did not formally respond to our proposed MoU until after normal office hours on Friday November 30, when they sent a message declining to sign our MoU, but indicating that they remain focused on “reaching a mutually acceptable collective agreement” and want to meet again at the bargaining table.
We are disappointed that the administration was not willing to join MUNFA in providing clear reassurance to students and faculty at this critical time in the semester. We hope they are sincere about wanting to reach a mutually acceptable agreement at the bargaining table.
We will update our members as further information becomes available.
In the meantime, as we have said in recent communiqués, MUNFA representatives want to speak directly to every MUNFA member so that we can discuss the situation and address any questions MUNFA members may have.
If you would like to schedule a meeting with MUNFA representatives please contact
Travis Perry, Membership Engagement & Communications Coordinator, at membership.munfa@mun.ca.
