By now most MUNFA members will have seen the NEWSLINE communications from administration about returning to the negotiating table and the employer’s take on collegial governance. As many MUNFA members have pointed out, the tone and wording of those communications sound an awful lot like they’ve been crafted by an outside consultant — possibly Alex Usher, whose blog the employer’s NEWSLINE links to directly!
While it’s not clear who, exactly, is crafting the administration’s communications, these latest NEWSLINE messages raise an important question: Who is actually running our place of work?
Alex Usher is not an uninvolved bystander. He was hired by Memorial’s administration to oversee the development of the strategic plan that President Timmons insisted was an urgent project in the early days of her presidency. His analysis of MUNFA members’ determination to strengthen collegiality sounded remarkably similar to the position the administration took during bargaining over the past 14 months. You’d almost think he was putting words in their mouths.
So, let’s set something straight. If Usher is correct that it’s only a few of the words in MUNFA’s proposed definition of collegial governance that is holding Memorial’s administration back from accepting it, why don’t they suggest or ask for adjusted language instead of outright refusing to discuss putting language on collegiality into the collective agreement? That’s why you call it “negotiating.”
MUNFA remains committed to achieving a #FairDealAtMUN on our core issues. These include a refusal to accept two-tiered health benefits after retirement and the implementation of better conditions for contract ASMs. Along with a renewed commitment to collegiality, these would create a stronger and more democratic university for all. No member left behind!
Look for an update on bargaining later this afternoon.
Love from Line
Dr. Max Liboiron is helping to curate a strike meme archive. Have a look by clicking this link.
Dr. Mehmet Efe Caman, a contract faculty MUNFA member, was interviewed on CBC’s Morning Show. The segment should be out for listening in the next few hours at this link.
With love and solidarity,
Ash Hossain
MUNFA President
