UOIT Teaching Faculty give strong strike mandate
Faculty seeking fair workload and equitable pay
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 26, 2017
(OSHAWA, ON) Teaching Faculty Members at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) have voted 85.7% in favour of a strike, if necessary. 81.7% of Teaching Faculty Members voted.
“Clearly, our membership has given their bargaining team a strong mandate for improved working and learning conditions at UOIT, in line with those offered at other universities in Ontario,” stated Christine McLaughlin, Executive Director of the UOIT Faculty Association.
Teaching Faculty at UOIT have the highest workload in Ontario for teaching-intensive faculty, and are among the lowest paid; this translates into less time to provide the quality education that students deserve. The Association is asking for pay increases comparable to tenured and tenure-track faculty.
“It is important that faculty become a priority for UOIT, and that the administration recognize that it is the faculty who deliver the high quality teaching and learning that UOIT so widely promotes,” said Kimberly Nugent, Chief Negotiator for UOITFA.
“Our members are deeply committed to providing quality education to the students of UOIT,” says UOITFA President Mike Eklund, “but the current course load assignment pose challenges. The University must allow its faculty the time and effort required to develop this high quality content.”
Teaching Faculty Member Timothy MacNeill states: “I teach about 1,600 students per year, while also publishing in my field and bringing in nearly $100,000 in research funding for the university. A more manageable workload would improve the quality of education I can offer to my students.”
The UOITFA is an association of tenured, tenure-track and teaching faculty at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Members of the UOITFA have a track record of excellence in research and publishing, teaching, classroom innovation, experiential learning, and community service. The reputation of UOIT is as strong as its faculty.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Mike Eklund, President, UOITFA (905.447.9390, [email protected]) or Christine McLaughlin, UOITFA Executive Director (905-721-8668 x2843, [email protected]).