What is a union?
A union is a group of workers who share either a common workplace or a common occupation, who agree to join together to make decisions about their working conditions. The essence of unions is democratizing the workplace — by giving workers a say in their working conditions rather than leaving it up to the bosses, and by developing a democratic structure within the union. In Canada, one of the most important ways unions do this is through collective bargaining, in which union members negotiate with representatives of the bosses to decide on a collective agreement — a legal document that sets certain working conditions for all union members.

What is MUNFA?
The Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association is the trade union representing Academic Staff Members at MUN; it represents around 850 faculty, librarians, counsellors, and co-operative and field educators in collective bargaining with the university, and also advocates for members’ rights and academic freedoms. It is governed by members who volunteer for the Executive and other committees, as well as by the membership via annual general meetings.

What is collective bargaining and what is the process?
Collective bargaining is the name for when workers who have formed a union meet with their bosses (or representatives of their bosses) to agree on a contract, or a set of terms of employment, that will apply to all workers — the final document that results from this process is called a “collective agreement.” Collective agreements can include provisions about workers’ pay; their rights when being disciplined; how to address sexual and other harassment in the workplace; preventing or addressing workplace discrimination; and more.

Typically, although not always, collective bargaining is done by a small group of union members and a union representative in a closed-door meeting with the bosses’ representatives. Some unions engage in “open bargaining,” which can take a few different forms, from making developments at the table public as they happen (for both members and the wider public to follow along) all the way to allowing any and all members to observe the negotiation proceedings. MUNFA is adopting a transparent bargaining approach by making the developments at the conciliation table public knowledge.

What is conciliation? Why did MUNFA apply for this?
When either party feels they have reached an impasse at the bargaining table, they can apply to the Minister Responsible for Labour to have a Conciliation Officer appointed. The Conciliation Officer meets with the parties, jointly and/or separately, to help them understand each other’s interests and find ways of resolving differences. The Conciliation Officer does not have the authority to impose a settlement but will work with the parties to try to reach a collective agreement and avoid job action.

If the two sides reach an agreement during this time, then that will be the end of this round of bargaining. If conciliation doesn’t work and the conciliation officer decides that the two sides have reached an impasse, then the officer would issue a report to the Labour Minister. Fifteen days after the minister receives that report, MUNFA and MUNL would move to a “legal strike/lockout position” — the point at which MUNFA can hold a strike vote, or the university can lock MUNFA members out. The result of either a strike or a lockout would be a disruption to students.

Why do unions go on strike?

What is a “strike vote”? Does it mean a strike is happening automatically?
A strike vote with a positive result does not mean there is automatically a strike; rather, it means that MUNFA members support going on strike if it becomes necessary.

A strong vote in support of striking if necessary is often the defining moment that tells an employer they actually do need to sit down at the negotiating table and make a deal. Negotiations are likely to continue after a strike vote, and — if a strike vote is held — MUNFA will make clear to students and the university community what members decide to do. (For instance, members might decide to strike if no deal is reached after 15 more days, or they might choose to do work to rule, which would mean continuing to teach and research but not fulfill the many other duties normally required of them.)

One important thing to note is that a strike vote does not mean there will automatically be a strike. (For more information, see here.) Many collective bargaining rounds
More negotiations are likely to follow a strike vote, if one is held, and many collective agreements are decided on in these last-minute sessions. It is nerve-wracking for all involved, but it is a normal aspect of the collective bargaining process.