As was noted in a recent Information Bulletin, on August 19, 2021, MUNFA provided written notice to President Timmons indicating that MUNFA wished to commence collective bargaining. The MUNFA Executive have since communicated the names of our Negotiating Committee and are awaiting an initial meeting with the administration to discuss logistics.
While it is our hope that a mutually satisfactory Collective Agreement can be negotiated without job action, we intend to be ready in the event that job action is needed. To that effect, MUNFA is seeking volunteers for a Job Action Committee (JAC) and a Contract Action Team (CAT).
MUNFA’s Job Action Committee is responsible for coordinating strike pay and all expenses related to a strike, all aspects of picketing, and securing and running a strike headquarters. In the past, the JAC has included at least three Academic Staff Members. In addition, sub-committees will be established under the direction of the JAC to focus on the three core responsibilities noted above. A fourth subcommittee will be responsible for activities at Grenfell Campus.
MUNFA’s Contract Action Team will work to maximize member engagement and to create informal networks to ensure a constant flow of multi-directional communication between MUNFA members and our Negotiating Committee. These objectives are designed to bolster the strength of the Negotiating Committee in collective bargaining and to open more effective lines of communication as the process unfolds. Ideally, the CAT would include at least one representative from each Academic Unit (AU), and multiple representatives in the case of a larger AU.
If you are interested in joining MUNFA’s Job Action Committee or Contract Action Team, please contact the MUNFA Office, munfa@mun.ca. We especially encourage members of equity-seeking groups to volunteer and would note that, as per Clause 1.20 of the MUN/MUNFA Collective Agreement, “An ASM’s service to the Association shall be deemed academic service as set out in the appropriate articles in this Collective Agreement.”
