Sault Ste. Marie – A strike has been headed off at Algoma University after the full-time faculty, represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) reached a tentative agreement on April 10.
The Algoma University full-time faculty bargaining team is recommending their members vote in favour of the agreement at the ratification meeting on April 18. Details of the offer will be released prior to the vote.
Bargaining began over 22 months ago. The OPSEU bargaining team chair, Pelham Matthews, said that this has been a long process.
“We have all worked many long hours to reach an agreement that we feel able to recommend to our members.”
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas congratulated the bargaining team on reaching a tentative agreement during a long and difficult round of negotiations.
“Algoma University full-time faculty stayed strong throughout bargaining, and did a great job in pushing the employer to do the right thing. Congratulations to both the bargaining team and the members for their hard work and solidarity.”
“Universities are not receiving the funding they require to ensure quality programs and services for our students. We must continue to push back and demand that Ontario make education a priority. OPSEU will continue to do that.”
OPSEU Local 685 represents 60 full-time faculty at Algoma University.
For more information:
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President: 613-329-1931
Pelham Matthews, OPSEU Local 685, Bargaining Team Chair, 1-705-254-9178
Henry Hornstein, OPSEU Local 685 President, 1-705-989-6590