By James Wilt Since November 2, more than 1,200 members of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA)—including professors, librarians, lecturers, and instructors—have been on strike following a strong 85 percent strike mandate in mid-October. This strike comes only five years after the last by UMFA in 2016. The main issue is salaries. Since 2016, Continue readingStudent Organizing 101 at the UMFA strike
post-secondary education
Today on Rank & File Radio, teachers and students fighting for quality, public education. We’ll hear from Megan Linton, from the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Federation of Students, on creating a prairie solidarity network for students to connect, share knowledge and organizing skills. And we’ll hear an excerpt of my interview with Eric Blanc, Continue readingBuilding Student & Teacher Prairie Solidarity
By Zaid Noorsumar Tanya d’Anger has been teaching at Ontario’s colleges since 2000. Her CV lists some of the most renowned institutions in the province as her employers. And yet, the 59-year old reapplies for work at the end of every semester. For 18 years, she has remained a contract faculty member who earns lower Continue readingContract faculty fight Ford’s attack on Bill 148
Showdown at York U affects entire Canadian university sector By Cynthia Loch-Drake, Course Instructor at the Schulich School of Business It’s High Noon in the Canadian university sector and the showdown is at York University. CUPE 3903, the strongest union representing precariously employed contract faculty, is confronting the most corporate-heavy Board of Governors running any Continue readingTheir fight is our fight: Students and contract faculty support 3903 strike
By: Rawan Abdelbaki Following a wave of labour revolts in recent weeks by teachers and university workers in the Western world – from West Virginia to Louisiana, and Chicago to the United Kingdom and Ottawa, the members of CUPE 3903 – representing teaching assistants (Unit 1), contract faculty (Unit 2), and graduate assistants (Unit 3) – Continue readingStriking against precarious work at York
By Bob Barnetson A few weeks back, I reported on an application before the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB). The crux of the issue was that the University of Lethbridge was trying to compel the faculty association (FA) to negotiate two collective agreements: one for regular faculty and one for sessionals. This issue had come to a Continue readingUniversity of Lethbridge loses at labour board
By Rick Telfer Around 850 administrative, technical and library workers at Carleton University began picketing at campus entrances on March 5 as they went on strike to protect their pensions. The workers are represented by Local 2424 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The strike followed nineteen days of bargaining since July 2017. Negotiations with Continue readingCarleton University workers striking to protect their pensions
By Nora Loreto NDP delegates overwhelmingly voted in favour of free higher education on Sunday afternoon in Ottawa at their policy convention. Of the hundreds of motions served, it was endorsed by the greatest number of riding associations. The NDP’s new policy on tuition fees now explicitly supports eliminating tuition and other administrative fees, eliminating Continue readingFree Higher Education Resolution Passes Overwhelmingly at NDP Convention
By Rick Telfer The Ontario college faculty strike ended Nov. 19 as the Ontario Liberals’ back-to-work legislation passed final reading in the province’s legislature. Outstanding issues will be referred to binding mediation-arbitration. The government sought to pass back-to-work legislation on Nov. 16, but was thwarted when the Legislative Assembly’s Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) caucus Continue readingOPSEU continues fight to protect precarious workers at colleges after back-to-work legislation
By Joel Harden For the past five weeks, teachers in Ontario’s College system have been on strike. Two days ago, their employer compelled them to vote on an offer that was summarily rejected. 95 percent of college teachers sent the deal packing by a margin of 86 percent. This is because the deal the Wynne Continue readingCollege faculty deserve a fair deal not back-to-work legislation
By Nora Loreto Yesterday morning, I had the opportunity to talk with CBC radio morning shows about academic freedom: what is it and why is it important to professors. And most importantly, why is it so important that it’s at the centre of a 4-week strike that has no end in sight? Academic Freedom has Continue readingWhy is academic freedom prolonging the Ontario college strike?
By Paula Greenberg I am a student at Humber in the Child and Youth Accelerated program. I decided to return to school after years of precarious employment in the Arts. My return to school has meant so much for me, giving me new career opportunities and a chance for decent work. This strike has deeply Continue readingWhy students should support Ontario’s striking college faculty