In 2022, MUNFA heard concerns from Academic Staff Members (ASMs) regarding a lack of specialized scientific glassblowing services to support research and teaching activities. It is MUNFA’s understanding that prior to 2022, such services were available to ASMs and that staff changes in the Department of Technical Services resulted in the vacancy of the long standing dedicated and specialized glassblower position.
MUNFA filed an Association grievance on this matter, as ASMs in some units require specialized glassware and glassblowing services to conduct their scholarly work.
To date, the University has not provided a satisfactory response or remedy to the grievance. As such, MUNFA has referred the grievance to the arbitration process. In the meantime, MUNFA suggests that ASMs affected by the lack of specialized glassblowing services continue to document impacts on their work with their Administrative Heads, and copy MUNFA on all such correspondence.
ASMs with questions on this matter should contact munfa@mun.ca.
