TORONTO, February 15, 2022 – The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) extends a message of solidarity to the striking faculty at the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA) in Alberta. Members of the ULFA are currently walking the picket lines as they push to have the University of Lethbridge administration address their concerns around working conditions, collegial governance, and equitable pay and benefits.
ULFA has been in bargaining for over a year and have grown increasingly frustrated that the university administration has refused to meaningfully engage with their demands. On Thursday, February 10, they walked out on strike.
“On behalf of OCUFA and our 30 member associations representing 18,000 faculty, academic librarians, and other academic professionals across Ontario, I would like to extend a message of solidarity and support for our colleagues at the ULFA,” said Sue Wurtele, President of OCUFA. “The issues they are striking over are important ones that must be addressed by the University of Lethbridge administration. We call on the administration to re-evaluate their position and come back to the table with a fair proposal that actually addresses ULFA’s concerns.”
University of Lethbridge faculty deserve a fair deal that makes the university a better and more equitable place to work and one that reinforces that faculty voices are central to university decision-making. OCUFA calls on the University of Lethbridge administration to show their respect for faculty by working to help advance ULFA’s bargaining proposals, not reject them. It is time for the university administration to sit down and negotiate a fair collective agreement.
Those wishing to add their voices in support of the University of Lethbridge’s faculty, should send an email to the university’s president at: https://makeitfair.caut.ca/ulfa. More information on the strike can be found here: https://www.ulfa.ca.
Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents 18,000 faculty, academic librarians, and other academic professionals in 30 member associations across Ontario. It is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education in Ontario and recognizing the outstanding contributions of its members towards creating a world-class university system. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at www.ocufa.on.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Ben Lewis, Communications Lead at 416-306-6033 or communications@ocufa.on.ca