labour unrest

One of us is on strike.

The 365 part-time contract academic staff members of the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (WLUFA) are on strike after negotiations broke down March 19.

The members had voted over 89 per cent in favor of job action prior to the collapse of talks. Their collective agreement expired last August.

At issue are job security and salary. WLUFA members are paid per course taught, and seniority is accorded through a system of points per course.

WLUFA wants pay parity with their neighbors at the University of Guelph, University of Toronto, York University, and the University of Waterloo where higher per-course rates are paid.

WLUFA says that the current method of awarding seniority by points per course taught is a mess and that overhauling the system to recognize the experience and qualifications of staff is imperative for job security.

It’s the first time a Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) contract staff unit has gone on strike alone, and the fourth strike at Canadian universities in this academic year.

WLUFA is getting support from students and from other university faculty. And of course from us.