This coming Monday, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) is hosting a caucus open to anyone who studies or works at a college, university, or other postsecondary institution in Ontario. The caucus will provide an opportunity to get organized for the OFL’s province-wide day of action on May 1. Thousands of people across Ontario, including […]
TORONTO, April 1, 2022 – With the French Language Services Commissioner’s revelations that the Laurentian University administration and Ford government failed in their responsibilities to safeguard the interests of the province’s French speakers, the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) is calling for the 28 French language programs cut by the university to be […]
When Laurentian University filed for protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), it became the first public university in Canada to do so. The upcoming federal budget is our chance to make sure it is also the last. Both the CCAA and Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) are federal pieces of legislation specifically designed […]
According to a new poll conducted for OCUFA by Ekos Research Associates, two out of three Ontarians (69 per cent) believe that the province’s next government should prioritize postsecondary education as it works to rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. Those polled recognize the value of a university education and believe it is time to introduce […]
The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations is pleased to see the Ontario Government extend the tuition fee freeze for domestic students into 2023. However, urgent funding is needed to support education quality and accessibility at Ontario’s public universities. “If the Ford government is serious about tackling student debt and high tuition fees, the upcoming […]
There is more to Academic Matters than just the print issue. New articles are being added to the Academic Matters website every week. Here are some recent articles you might find interesting: The long fight against sexual assault and harassment at universities “With the return to university campuses this fall, there have been disturbing reports of both sexual assaults and sexist incidents. At Western University, […]
After months of negotiations, escalating pressure on the Ontario Tech administration, and a strike, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Faculty Association (UOITFA) has ratified a new three-year collective agreement that makes big gains on the faculty association’s workload, equity, and benefits priorities. This represents a hard-fought and well-deserved victory for the UOITFA. The […]
Submission deadline: March 21, 2022 More information about the awards and fellowships Equity and Social Justice Committee Award of Distinction: This award celebrates the outstanding contributions of OCUFA members whose work has contributed meaningfully to the advancement of professors, academic librarians, and other academic staff who are Indigenous, women, racialized, LGBTQ2S+, living with disabilities and/or […]
TORONTO, March 9, 2022 – Universities across Ontario have increased their focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives in recent years. However, without commitments to improve job security, pay, and benefits for contract faculty and other precariously employed campus workers, these initiatives will fall short. Contract faculty, who routinely make less than their securely employed […]
TORONTO, March 9, 2022 – The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) extends a message of solidarity to the striking faculty and academic librarians at the Association des professeurs, professeures et bibliothécaires de l’Université Sainte-Anne (APPBUSA) in Nova Scotia. Members of the APPBUSA have been on strike since March 9 as they pressure the […]
TORONTO, March 8, 2022 – The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) believes that preventing unionized workers from taking claims of discrimination and harassment to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) will strip union members of fundamental rights and undermine work to build more equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces. Further, the exceptionally short […]
This election presents a valuable opportunity to put postsecondary education on the agenda and build a better future for Ontario. Each political party is making promises and proposals that will affect university faculty, students, our families, and our communities. This election, OCUFA is focused on three advocacy priorities : Fairness for contract faculty to ensure all faculty are […]
OCUFA is holding its annual Social Media Day of Action for fairness for contract faculty on Wednesday, March 9. All interested in advocating for better working conditions for contract faculty and other precariously employed campus workers are welcome to participate. OCUFA will be active on social media all day. We encourage you follow to us […]
On Sunday, March 6, people from across Ontario will come together to take part in the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL)’s Activist Assembly. The full-day event will provide opportunities for strategizing, skills building, and planning in preparation for the OFL’s province-wide day of action scheduled for May 1. In the upcoming provincial election, the OFL […]
In a hard-earned three-year settlement, UTFA’s benefits coverage will be expanded in several areas. The mental health maximum will be increased to $5,000 (up from $3,000). Marriage therapists, family therapists, and addiction counsellors have been added to the eligible professionals under the psychologist group and the rates covered will be increased from “reasonable and customary […]
