North Bay, ON, November 8, 2009 - Following the scheduled negotiating
session on Sunday November 8, Nipissing University and its full-time
faculty reached a tentative settlement.
Nipissing University president Lesley Lovett-Doust and Todd Horton,
president of the Nipissing University Faculty Association (NUFA)
announced that a tentative settlement had been reached. The settlement
is expected to be ratified over the coming weeks.
"We're pleased to be able to get back to what's important to us, and
that's our students," says Todd Horton, NUFA president.
"I want to thank the University and Faculty bargaining teams who have
worked tirelessly over several months to reach a fair and reasonable
agreement. Their constructive efforts will allow Nipissing to move
onward and upward, as we build sustainability through the new Strategic
Plan," says Lesley Lovett-Doust, president of Nipissing University.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Strike Action Averted for now
Tomorrow, there won't be a strike. However, the strike vote that the faculty took a couple of weeks ago is still in effect. This means that the faculty still has a right to legal strike action should they deem it necessary. Apparently negotiations are continuing and are quite close to being complete. FASBU is remaining tight lipped about what progress has been made. Meanwhile, negotiations are going to continue this week to see how far things get. Once a full agreement is reached between the bargaining teams, the agreement will be brought forward to all the FASBU members for a ratification vote. So really, aside from progress that has been made, not much has changed. However, I don't want to diminish the fact that negotiations are still taking place; this is the most important information that I have learned.
So the bargaining teams met each other today to keep negotiating. The provincial conciliator was also present on campus to assist with the process. Previously, NUFA announced that they had filed for conciliation but the administration did not and was not returning the conciliator's phone calls. Basically, a conciliator is a provincially appointed individual who assists teams with the bargaining process. Conciliation is not binding like arbitration is (where a neutral body makes a final decision if the two sides absolutely cannot agree) nor is this a form of back to work legislation. Apparently the conciliator came down hard on both teams and emphasized that a deal should be reached. I think that student queries along with the faculty strike mandate has had a positive effect on the process and goal of reaching a deal.
So, classes will continue as usual tomorrow and all professors will be at work doing their teaching, research, and community service work. This week could feature further negotiations if a deal is reached tonight. So, as they say, give it more time and it just might work itself out.
So the bargaining teams met each other today to keep negotiating. The provincial conciliator was also present on campus to assist with the process. Previously, NUFA announced that they had filed for conciliation but the administration did not and was not returning the conciliator's phone calls. Basically, a conciliator is a provincially appointed individual who assists teams with the bargaining process. Conciliation is not binding like arbitration is (where a neutral body makes a final decision if the two sides absolutely cannot agree) nor is this a form of back to work legislation. Apparently the conciliator came down hard on both teams and emphasized that a deal should be reached. I think that student queries along with the faculty strike mandate has had a positive effect on the process and goal of reaching a deal.
So, classes will continue as usual tomorrow and all professors will be at work doing their teaching, research, and community service work. This week could feature further negotiations if a deal is reached tonight. So, as they say, give it more time and it just might work itself out.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Students not to receive tuition credit or refund
OK so many of you have been begging me for an update and my take on events so here it is.
Currently, bargaining is still going on. This is a good thing since both university administration and FASBU (Full-time Academic Staff Bargaining Unit) are willing to meet face to face and look at each other across the bargaining table and hopefully exchange some positive phrases here and there.
On the other hand, the faculty have been busy preparing their picket signs this weekend. Although I'm not sure what the signs say, it would be interesting in the event of a strike nontheless.
On Tuesday morning I met with Dr. Errol Aspevig, Nipissing's VP Academic and Research. After I sent my e-mail to the administration as I have posted on this blog, Aspevig replied shortly after and invited me to meet with him. During the hour and a half meeting, I voiced my main concern about there being a lack of contingency plan(s) specifically where students were concerned. Although he reassured me that some were being considered, he would not confirm nor agree that students would receive a tuition credit or refund for class time missed in the event of a strike/lock out. No surprise here. With the university's rising deficit and the province wide cap on tuition fee increases (that will likely be lifted soon), any student money that the university can hold on to will be done no matter how many e-mails I send or face to face meetings I have.
Aspevig continued to discuss how the university's revenues are generated through tuition fees and government money. Also, the Registrar's Office predicts a slight decrease in number of students this year; this is approximately 200 students or so less than projected which translates into approximately (by rough calculation) $1.6 million in lost revenue. So much for predictive models.
The university finally set up an updates website here. I requested this central hub of information from Aspevig and although I shouldn't take credit for it since it would have likely happened anyway, at least it got the ball rolling.
Lastly, it appears that bargaining may be moving into the public domain. This of course is a great concern to both bargaining teams since they agreed not to release sensitive information to the public (one of the limitations of this blog). With the administration's recent press release that I posted earlier, it appears that they're framing the bargaining issues around one theme: money. What I see happening is that if the faculty is going to receive wage increases, whatever they may be, there still needs to be some way to get at hacking salaries. The biggest expense of our institution is salaries and benefits. For the university to deal with the deficit, Aspevig sees that salaries will need to be reduced as an expense somehow. If this doesn't come directly with layoffs or a lockout, it could very well be by slashing ineffective programs; that is, reducing or eliminating courses/programs that have few students in them so as not to have to hire professors to teach them. So much for small class sizes.
Overall, I'm getting some great feedback about the blog. There are many issues at stake here and I think we all realize the negative impacts that a strike would have. Should it continue into my practicum weeks for my B.Ed program, I would not be permitted to teach during that time.
Negotiations continue all day tomorrow so I won't find out until Monday morning if a deal is reached or not. Stay tuned and positive, folks. In the meantime, I invite you to e-mail your concerns to Dr. Errol Aspevig at errola@nipissingu.ca He's told me that he's looking forward to your questions and comments.
Currently, bargaining is still going on. This is a good thing since both university administration and FASBU (Full-time Academic Staff Bargaining Unit) are willing to meet face to face and look at each other across the bargaining table and hopefully exchange some positive phrases here and there.
On the other hand, the faculty have been busy preparing their picket signs this weekend. Although I'm not sure what the signs say, it would be interesting in the event of a strike nontheless.
On Tuesday morning I met with Dr. Errol Aspevig, Nipissing's VP Academic and Research. After I sent my e-mail to the administration as I have posted on this blog, Aspevig replied shortly after and invited me to meet with him. During the hour and a half meeting, I voiced my main concern about there being a lack of contingency plan(s) specifically where students were concerned. Although he reassured me that some were being considered, he would not confirm nor agree that students would receive a tuition credit or refund for class time missed in the event of a strike/lock out. No surprise here. With the university's rising deficit and the province wide cap on tuition fee increases (that will likely be lifted soon), any student money that the university can hold on to will be done no matter how many e-mails I send or face to face meetings I have.
Aspevig continued to discuss how the university's revenues are generated through tuition fees and government money. Also, the Registrar's Office predicts a slight decrease in number of students this year; this is approximately 200 students or so less than projected which translates into approximately (by rough calculation) $1.6 million in lost revenue. So much for predictive models.
The university finally set up an updates website here. I requested this central hub of information from Aspevig and although I shouldn't take credit for it since it would have likely happened anyway, at least it got the ball rolling.
Lastly, it appears that bargaining may be moving into the public domain. This of course is a great concern to both bargaining teams since they agreed not to release sensitive information to the public (one of the limitations of this blog). With the administration's recent press release that I posted earlier, it appears that they're framing the bargaining issues around one theme: money. What I see happening is that if the faculty is going to receive wage increases, whatever they may be, there still needs to be some way to get at hacking salaries. The biggest expense of our institution is salaries and benefits. For the university to deal with the deficit, Aspevig sees that salaries will need to be reduced as an expense somehow. If this doesn't come directly with layoffs or a lockout, it could very well be by slashing ineffective programs; that is, reducing or eliminating courses/programs that have few students in them so as not to have to hire professors to teach them. So much for small class sizes.
Overall, I'm getting some great feedback about the blog. There are many issues at stake here and I think we all realize the negative impacts that a strike would have. Should it continue into my practicum weeks for my B.Ed program, I would not be permitted to teach during that time.
Negotiations continue all day tomorrow so I won't find out until Monday morning if a deal is reached or not. Stay tuned and positive, folks. In the meantime, I invite you to e-mail your concerns to Dr. Errol Aspevig at errola@nipissingu.ca He's told me that he's looking forward to your questions and comments.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Press Release Issued by Nipissing University Administration
North Bay, ON, November 3, 2009
Following seven months of negotiations, Nipissing University’s faculty voted in favour of a strike mandate. This does not necessarily mean that a strike will take place. The University remains committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable settlement. At present, they are operating business-as-usual with classes continuing.
“For the sake of our students and the sustainability of the university, it is crucial that Nipissing averts a faculty strike,” stated Lesley Lovett-Doust, president of Nipissing University. “We have updated students and staff about the faculty strike mandate. We will continue to update students and staff as we progress.”
Nipissing’s offer to faculty provides an average salary increase of 5.5 per cent per year over the next three years with an effective increase of 16.46 per cent.
“We feel this is a very fair and reasonable offer in an environment where the cost of living index has only increased by 1.8 per cent from July 2008 to July 2009,” said Craig Cooper, chief spokesperson for the administrative bargaining team and dean of the faculty of arts and science.
“We know that both sides want to reach an agreement and will continue working to that end. We welcome open dialogue and continued negotiations to avert any disruption to students and to our operations,” added Vicky Paine-Mantha, vice-president finance and administration at Nipissing.
The university has been bargaining with the collective bargaining team representing the full-time faculty (FASBU) since February 26, 2009. There have been 39 face-to-face sessions which have encompassed almost 100 hours at the bargaining table. Both negotiating teams spent many additional hours preparing their language presentations to each other. The Faculty Association filed for conciliation, but after only two hours with a conciliator, the Association elected to file a No Board Report which allows them to go on strike after November 6, 2009, or the Employer to lock-out full-time faculty members.
“We respect and appreciate the core role of faculty. They are the talented individuals who teach our students and work with them to create new knowledge through research every day. We want to continue negotiations and reach an amicable solution,” said Errol Aspevig, vice-president academic and research at Nipissing University.
As a broader public sector employer, the University must demonstrate fiscal responsibility. Therefore, they had hoped that the FASBU collective bargaining team would find their offer acceptable and present it to their membership for discussion and recommendation.
Following seven months of negotiations, Nipissing University’s faculty voted in favour of a strike mandate. This does not necessarily mean that a strike will take place. The University remains committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable settlement. At present, they are operating business-as-usual with classes continuing.
“For the sake of our students and the sustainability of the university, it is crucial that Nipissing averts a faculty strike,” stated Lesley Lovett-Doust, president of Nipissing University. “We have updated students and staff about the faculty strike mandate. We will continue to update students and staff as we progress.”
Nipissing’s offer to faculty provides an average salary increase of 5.5 per cent per year over the next three years with an effective increase of 16.46 per cent.
“We feel this is a very fair and reasonable offer in an environment where the cost of living index has only increased by 1.8 per cent from July 2008 to July 2009,” said Craig Cooper, chief spokesperson for the administrative bargaining team and dean of the faculty of arts and science.
“We know that both sides want to reach an agreement and will continue working to that end. We welcome open dialogue and continued negotiations to avert any disruption to students and to our operations,” added Vicky Paine-Mantha, vice-president finance and administration at Nipissing.
The university has been bargaining with the collective bargaining team representing the full-time faculty (FASBU) since February 26, 2009. There have been 39 face-to-face sessions which have encompassed almost 100 hours at the bargaining table. Both negotiating teams spent many additional hours preparing their language presentations to each other. The Faculty Association filed for conciliation, but after only two hours with a conciliator, the Association elected to file a No Board Report which allows them to go on strike after November 6, 2009, or the Employer to lock-out full-time faculty members.
“We respect and appreciate the core role of faculty. They are the talented individuals who teach our students and work with them to create new knowledge through research every day. We want to continue negotiations and reach an amicable solution,” said Errol Aspevig, vice-president academic and research at Nipissing University.
As a broader public sector employer, the University must demonstrate fiscal responsibility. Therefore, they had hoped that the FASBU collective bargaining team would find their offer acceptable and present it to their membership for discussion and recommendation.
Monday, November 2, 2009
My E-mail to Nipissing University Administration
This e-mail was sent today to the following individuals:
Dr. Lesley Lovett-Doust, President and Vice-Chancellor
Dr. Errol Aspevig, Vice President Academic and Research
Vicky Paine-Mantha, Vice President Finance and Administration
Connie Vander Wall, Associate Vice President Human Resources
Dr. Craig Cooper, Dean of Arts and Science
Dr. Rick Vanderlee, Dean of Applied and Professional Schools
Dr. Sharon Rich, Dean of Education
Dear Nipissing University Administration,
Hopefully I have included all required parties in this e-mail. This morning, all Nipissing University students received a brief update and first official word about a potential faculty strike here from the Vice President Academic and Research.
A strike or lockout situation would result in a very difficult one here at Nipissing and it would put students in a very awkward position. As you know, students are the backbone and the raison d'etre for any university. A potential strike and especially the lack of communication resulting from such is quite troubling to say the least.
Although it is difficult to reason what all possible outcomes may exist, students need to be made aware of this situation and what the administration has in mind regarding contingency plans should a strike or lockout situation occur. To my knowledge, there is nothing that has been communicated to students to this effect. No matter what the outcome may be, the administration should be planning for various contingencies and what would happen if some sort of labour disruption, prolonged or not, were to occur. Further to this end, I highly encourage you as an administrative team to develop contingency plans that would assist students in coping with a labour disruption at Nipissing University.
What amount of class hours, if any, would need to be covered in the event of a strike?
What form of financial assistance or tuition credit would students receive?
Particularly for education students, how would required class hours be recovered and required practicum days/weeks be adjusted or extended should a strike occur?
How would assignment extensions be granted and would course expectations and assignment weighting be changed?
Would students receive extra assistance, tutoring, or instructional time in order to cover required course hours?
Again, I encourage you as an administrative team, along with the University Management Group and any other body, to develop contingency plans that would be implemented for many outcomes of negotiations between university administration and FASBU. I strongly encourage the deans of the faculties to communicate these plans to students as soon as possible and to provide more information about the progress of negotiations as they continue.
It is extremely disheartening that students have been left in the dark about the strike issue and how the administration would plan to handle it should it come to pass.
Sincerest regards,
Ian Wassink
Dr. Lesley Lovett-Doust, President and Vice-Chancellor
Dr. Errol Aspevig, Vice President Academic and Research
Vicky Paine-Mantha, Vice President Finance and Administration
Connie Vander Wall, Associate Vice President Human Resources
Dr. Craig Cooper, Dean of Arts and Science
Dr. Rick Vanderlee, Dean of Applied and Professional Schools
Dr. Sharon Rich, Dean of Education
Dear Nipissing University Administration,
Hopefully I have included all required parties in this e-mail. This morning, all Nipissing University students received a brief update and first official word about a potential faculty strike here from the Vice President Academic and Research.
A strike or lockout situation would result in a very difficult one here at Nipissing and it would put students in a very awkward position. As you know, students are the backbone and the raison d'etre for any university. A potential strike and especially the lack of communication resulting from such is quite troubling to say the least.
Although it is difficult to reason what all possible outcomes may exist, students need to be made aware of this situation and what the administration has in mind regarding contingency plans should a strike or lockout situation occur. To my knowledge, there is nothing that has been communicated to students to this effect. No matter what the outcome may be, the administration should be planning for various contingencies and what would happen if some sort of labour disruption, prolonged or not, were to occur. Further to this end, I highly encourage you as an administrative team to develop contingency plans that would assist students in coping with a labour disruption at Nipissing University.
What amount of class hours, if any, would need to be covered in the event of a strike?
What form of financial assistance or tuition credit would students receive?
Particularly for education students, how would required class hours be recovered and required practicum days/weeks be adjusted or extended should a strike occur?
How would assignment extensions be granted and would course expectations and assignment weighting be changed?
Would students receive extra assistance, tutoring, or instructional time in order to cover required course hours?
Again, I encourage you as an administrative team, along with the University Management Group and any other body, to develop contingency plans that would be implemented for many outcomes of negotiations between university administration and FASBU. I strongly encourage the deans of the faculties to communicate these plans to students as soon as possible and to provide more information about the progress of negotiations as they continue.
It is extremely disheartening that students have been left in the dark about the strike issue and how the administration would plan to handle it should it come to pass.
Sincerest regards,
Ian Wassink
Friday, October 30, 2009
NUFA Releases Press Release
MEDIA RELEASE
October 30, 2009
Nipissing Faculty Bargaining to Reach the “Ontario Standard” and
Maintain Quality of Education for Students
The Nipissing University administration and the Nipissing Faculty
Association (NUFA) have been engaged in contract talks for 247 days.
NUFA represents all 178 of the university’s full-time professors who
are bargaining to make certain that the quality education implied by
Nipissing’s motto “one student at a time” continues to be realized.
The professors' contract expired on April 30, 2009.
NUFA is bargaining for an academic workload that ensures
student-centred teaching and research is maintained at Nipissing.
NUFA is also working to establish a working environment conducive to
recruiting and retaining qualified faculty who will help make
Nipissing University a top-notch small university and will invest in
the North Bay community.
NUFA is bargaining for reasonable limits on the accelerating
casualization of the professoriate as too many professors are on
limited-term and part-time contracts. This creates instability and
inhibits investment in the university and the North Bay community.
Finally, NUFA is bargaining for a working environment that reflects
the “Ontario Standard” when compared to other universities in the
province. Currently, Nipissing professors are far behind their
counterparts and losing ground at an alarming rate.
This week the NUFA Executive received an overwhelming strike mandate
from its Membership, obtaining 95.8% support. The NUFA Executive
realizes that a labour disruption would have significant implications
for students and the entire North Bay community. Indeed, professors’
primary desire is always to be in the classroom working with students.
However, negotiations cannot continue indefinitely. The Association
and the University will be in a strike/lockout position by Monday,
November 9th but the Association has made no final decision regarding
a deadline for negotiations.
Talks continue this weekend and will hopefully continue until a deal
is reached. Let’s make it happen.
If you have any further questions please contact Todd Horton,
President of NUFA via email at NUFA-Ontario-Standard@hotmail.com or by
telephone at 705-474-3461 ext. 4499.
October 30, 2009
Nipissing Faculty Bargaining to Reach the “Ontario Standard” and
Maintain Quality of Education for Students
The Nipissing University administration and the Nipissing Faculty
Association (NUFA) have been engaged in contract talks for 247 days.
NUFA represents all 178 of the university’s full-time professors who
are bargaining to make certain that the quality education implied by
Nipissing’s motto “one student at a time” continues to be realized.
The professors' contract expired on April 30, 2009.
NUFA is bargaining for an academic workload that ensures
student-centred teaching and research is maintained at Nipissing.
NUFA is also working to establish a working environment conducive to
recruiting and retaining qualified faculty who will help make
Nipissing University a top-notch small university and will invest in
the North Bay community.
NUFA is bargaining for reasonable limits on the accelerating
casualization of the professoriate as too many professors are on
limited-term and part-time contracts. This creates instability and
inhibits investment in the university and the North Bay community.
Finally, NUFA is bargaining for a working environment that reflects
the “Ontario Standard” when compared to other universities in the
province. Currently, Nipissing professors are far behind their
counterparts and losing ground at an alarming rate.
This week the NUFA Executive received an overwhelming strike mandate
from its Membership, obtaining 95.8% support. The NUFA Executive
realizes that a labour disruption would have significant implications
for students and the entire North Bay community. Indeed, professors’
primary desire is always to be in the classroom working with students.
However, negotiations cannot continue indefinitely. The Association
and the University will be in a strike/lockout position by Monday,
November 9th but the Association has made no final decision regarding
a deadline for negotiations.
Talks continue this weekend and will hopefully continue until a deal
is reached. Let’s make it happen.
If you have any further questions please contact Todd Horton,
President of NUFA via email at NUFA-Ontario-Standard@hotmail.com or by
telephone at 705-474-3461 ext. 4499.
NUFA votes in favour of strike action
The ballots have been counted and the members of the faculty at Nipissing University who are a part of NUFA have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.
Approximately 94% of members who cast their ballot have voted in favour of strike action, if necessary. This gives the bargaining unit a strong position as they continue to bargain.
It is not known when this strike action could occur or if a lockout would be initiated by Nipissing University administration.
NUFA remains positive that an agreement can be reached.
In my previous post yesterday, I indicated that negotiation meetings have not been occurring. However, over the past week the bargaining units for both NUFA and the administration have been meeting. However, there has not been much success made, as it seems.
I have pulled public information from the NUFA website that is linked to this blog site. Last night I received an e-mail from Larry Patriquin who is a professor in the School of Social Development and Family Studies area in the Faculty of Applied and Professional Studies. Patriquin is also the Chief Negotiator for FASBU, the collective bargaining unit for NUFA. He indicated to me that I had some information incorrect in my last post and I am working on rectifying this situation. However, he indicated that both sides have not agreed to negotiate in public. These secret negotiations conveniently leave students in the dark regarding what is happening regarding a potential strike. Patriquin did indicate to me that the sides will be meeting this Sunday and NUFA is confident that a deal can be reached. I guess we will have to see what happens.
I'll keep you up to date with new information that I learn about
Approximately 94% of members who cast their ballot have voted in favour of strike action, if necessary. This gives the bargaining unit a strong position as they continue to bargain.
It is not known when this strike action could occur or if a lockout would be initiated by Nipissing University administration.
NUFA remains positive that an agreement can be reached.
In my previous post yesterday, I indicated that negotiation meetings have not been occurring. However, over the past week the bargaining units for both NUFA and the administration have been meeting. However, there has not been much success made, as it seems.
I have pulled public information from the NUFA website that is linked to this blog site. Last night I received an e-mail from Larry Patriquin who is a professor in the School of Social Development and Family Studies area in the Faculty of Applied and Professional Studies. Patriquin is also the Chief Negotiator for FASBU, the collective bargaining unit for NUFA. He indicated to me that I had some information incorrect in my last post and I am working on rectifying this situation. However, he indicated that both sides have not agreed to negotiate in public. These secret negotiations conveniently leave students in the dark regarding what is happening regarding a potential strike. Patriquin did indicate to me that the sides will be meeting this Sunday and NUFA is confident that a deal can be reached. I guess we will have to see what happens.
I'll keep you up to date with new information that I learn about
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)