News
Looks like the Wilfred Laurier Faculty Union (WFLU) is facing the same issues as the DFA.
Feb. 9, 2:00 am
Conciliation at Wilfred Laurier University Reach and Impasse.
The team spent more than 12 hours at the table on Wednesday and has worked since 9:00 am on Thursday morning until now. Unfortunately, all our hard work has failed to result in an agreement. We remain at an impasse with the administration and we have requested a ‘no board report’ from the conciliator.The administration still insists that we move to its position on the pension plan, increasing our contributions and weakening indexing, and has rejected our proposals on compensation. The administration has publicly stated its desire to compensate Laurier faculty on a competitive basis with faculty at other Ontario universities. Unfortunately, if WLUFA accepted the administration’s current offer, we would continue to be among the lowest paid academic staff in Ontario. This is at a time when the university has generated record surpluses.
The WLUFA team has worked hard to create a highly innovative article for professional teaching positions, but we have failed to reach an agreement on fair working conditions for these prospective Members.
The last compensation offer by the administration was derisory and left the team with no option but to seek a ‘no board’ report. We are certainly prepared to continue negotiations in mediation but we will need a strong strike vote to press for a satisfactory settlement. If you have not voted yet please support your team by doing so.
The ballot boxes at Brantford and the WLUFA office will close at 3pm today.
Bargaining unit meetings will be called as soon as possible next week.
Judy Bates, WLUFA President
To read more about the parallel universe in Ontario go to http://www.wlufa.ca/
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The Nova Scotia Association of University Teachers highlight the salaries earned by university presidents and administration in light of a funding cuts and tuition hikes.
From the Chronicle Herald: Katherine Sheehan, assistant vice-president of human resources at Dalhousie, said administrative salaries at the university are below or on par with other schools across Canada. Salaries comparable to those in other parts of the country are necessary to attract top managers, she said. “We’re comfortable where our salaries are.” Read the article here Read the CBC radio write up here.
http://dfa.ns.ca/wp-admin/profile.php
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Read the Chronicle Herald article about DFA & Dal’s presentation to law amendments committee on Bill 96: Pension Benefits Act Amendments here.
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Faculty at NASCAD ask for support
A letter from Alvin Comiter, president of the Faculty Union of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.
“As you may know, Howard Windsor, a former Policy Analyst with Labour and Advanced Education for the province of Nova Scotia, has been appointed by the Minister of Advanced Education to examine the future of NSCAD University. We’re told that everything is on the table, including mergers and “program reorganization” (whatever that might mean).
As if that wasn’t enough to worry about, all three bargaining units at NSCAD are currently in negotiations and contract talks for FUNSCAD’s two units and the NSGEU staff unit have all reached an impasse. The conciliator has filed his report for FUNSCAD’s Unit II (Technical and Educational Resource Personnel) and we will be in a legal strike/lockout position on November 16. Unit I, our Faculty/Librarian Unit, has one day of conciliation scheduled for November 10. NSGEU is in the middle of conciliation.
Can you help us? A group of faculty, staff, students, alumni, members of the arts community, NSCAD supporters, etc have started a Friends of NSCAD Facebook page and a petition on change.org. We’re trying to get 10,000 signatures on the petition. Please … take a look at: http://www.change.org/petitions/keep-nscad-university-intact-and-independent
Thanks for your support. It’s much appreciated.
In Solidarity,
Alvin
for FUNSCAD
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Elected by Acclamation
Elizabeth Kay-Raining Bird (Human Communication Disorders) has been elected by acclamation for the position of Secretary on the 2011/2012 DFA Executive Committee/
A few words from Karen Janigan…
I am thrilled to be able to introduce myself to the Dalhousie Faculty Association as your new Communications Officer. While my appointment is for 60 per cent of the time, I can assure you that you have 100 per cent of my commitment to do what I can to help the DFA improve communications, handle media relations, and provide value to the membership.
I have worn many hats since I graduated from Dalhousie University just a year after the DFA was formed, with a brand-new, three-year science degree under my arm. My career path is a little reminiscent of the zigzagging of drunken sailor heading to the ship before curfew. If there is any truth to the right-brained, left-brained thing, I would have to say I function in both hemispheres with equal comfort (except when it comes to math.)
My past includes: A Bachelor of Applied Arts in Radio & Television Arts from Ryerson; decades of reporting work – print, radio & television, television drama and animation writing, as well as corporate communications. More recently, I served as an interim senior communications officer to the IWK Health Centre Foundation specializing in media relations and writing, and as regional communications advisor to Elections Canada for the Maritimes during the last federal election.
However, the theme of my meandering career trajectory has grown clearer over the years: communication to inform or entertain, an inquisitive mind that challenges the status quo, a commitment to do what I say I will do, and a self-deprecating sense of humour.
I am married, live in Mahone Bay, and have a 16-year-old son who is already a dedicated musician. (And if I may say, he is amazingly good. If you ever heard me sing, you would understand why I am amazed.)
If you have any issues you wish to communicate to me, about how the DFA can better serve you, please feel free to email Karen.Janigan@dal.ca or call me. I will generally be in the DFA Office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, but that will be subject to change depending on what needs to be done. I will also be reaching out to you in the future looking for opportunities for improvement.
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W.D. Smith reports on University Administrative Costs
Admin costs an issue at Dalhousie (The Chronicle Herald, May 4, 2011)
