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Algoma U faculty votes in favour of strike

The union has filed for conciliation, and a tentative date has been set
150528 Shingwauk Hall Algoma University KA
FILE PHOTO: Shingwauk Hall at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday

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OPSEU LOCAL 685
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Faculty at Algoma University have voted 84% in favour of a strike mandate, and strongly in support of their bargaining team.

“Faculty at Algoma have sent a clear message to the Board of Governors at Algoma University,” said Henry Hornstein, president of the faculty union. “They are ready to defend the academic integrity of the university through job action if necessary.”

Bargaining broke down last Dec. 15 after the employer tabled proposals with significant concessionary demands, including increased teaching loads, the creation of a teaching-only stream, and the reduction of academic oversight on program redundancy. The board’s proposals will also keep average salaries of faculty at Algoma at the bottom of northern Ontario universities.

“These concessions would undermine the academic integrity of Algoma University by reducing the time faculty would have to pursue research and scholarship, and by compromising academic governance,” explained Hornstein.

“These proposals threaten the future of Algoma,” said Hornstein. “They are totally inconsistent with our academic mission to provide research-based teaching and learning opportunities for our students. And they will make it impossible to attract and retain quality faculty for our students.”

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 685 represents 57 full-time professors and librarians at the school. The union has filed for conciliation, and a tentative date has been set.

“Faculty would strongly prefer to avoid a strike and any disruption to the term,” said Hornstein, “but to do that we’ll need the Board to withdraw these damaging proposals which attack the core values and mission of our university, and moreover undermine our ability as teachers and researchers to do our jobs.”

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