FACULTY SEEKING FAIR SAY AND FAIR PAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 26th 2016
(OSHAWA, ON) Faculty at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) have voted 77.17% in favour of strike if talks continue to stall in the collective bargaining process.
“Clearly, our membership is asking for a clear mandate for improved conditions for Faculty at UOIT,” stated Christine McLaughlin, Executive Director of the UOIT Faculty Association.
Currently UOITFA members have the highest student-teacher ratio in the province and are among some of the lowest paid. This is coupled with the lowest benefits package in the province. The UOITFA is asking to normalize pension and benefits to come in line with other universities in Ontario and for the University Administration to take actions to reduce the excessively high student to teacher ratios at UOIT. The Association is also seeking normalized pay increases in line with other universities and to ensure that wage fairness is offered to those on parental leave.
“It is important that faculty become a priority at UOIT and recognize that it is the faculty who deliver the high quality teaching and research opportunities that UOIT so widely promotes,” said Mikael Eklund, Chief Negotiator for UOITFA.
“Our members are deeply committed to providing quality education to the students of UOIT,” says UOITFA President Gary Genosko, “but the current conditions pose challenges since the university is located in the GTA where families face some of the highest cost of living in the country.”
A conciliator was brought in at the request of the UOITFA bargaining team as there has been significant delay on getting responses back from the Employer on key issues.
“We are looking forward to getting back on track and working towards getting these issues resolved,” said Genosko.
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 and classroom innovation, and community service. The reputation of UOIT is as strong as its professors.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Gary Genosko, President, UOITFA (647-389-8007, [email protected]) or Christine McLaughlin, UOITFA Executive Director at: at 905-721-8668 x2049 or email at [email protected]