Featured
UWOFA Responds to Ministry of Labour Inspection Findings at Western University
October 1st, 2024
UWOFA acknowledges the Ministry of Labour's September 2024 inspection findings of safety infractions at Western University. We take seriously the collective responsibility to maintain high safety standards and used the complaints process to ensure Western meets its obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and our collective agreements.
Featured
UWOFA Members Decline to Perform Work of Striking CUPE Members
September 3rd, 2024
UWOFA members have declined university requests to perform tasks normally done by striking CUPE 2361 workers, citing their right to refuse under collective agreements. UWOFA stands in solidarity with CUPE 2361, emphasizing the importance of supporting the strike and maintaining fair treatment for all campus workers.
Resources for Members During the CUPE Strike
August 29th, 2024
Commonly Asked Questions for UWOFA Members Impacted by the CUPE Local 2361 Strike
Why Attend the Labour Day Picnic?
August 22nd, 2024
Labour Day on the first Monday of September celebrates the collective achievements of unions in North America, with roots dating back to the late 1800s. In London, the London and District Labour Council hosts a picnic featuring live music, a free BBQ, and information from local unions. It's an excellent chance for UWOFA members and others in the community to connect with the broader labour movement.
Advocating for Responsible Investment Practices
June 25th, 2024
UWOFA calls on Western administration to adhere to the UNPRI Six Principles for Responsible Investment
UWOFA Supports Academic Freedom and Free Expression on Campus
June 12th, 2024
UWOFA condemns any attempt to stifle academic freedom and free expression at Western University.
Resources for UWOFA Members During the PSAC Local 610 Strike
April 11th, 2024
Commonly Asked Questions for UWOFA Members Impacted by the PSAC Local 610 Strike
Help Avert a Strike At Western: Supporting our PSAC Local 610 Colleagues
April 8th, 2024
Graduate Teaching Assistants, members of PSAC Local 610, are in a legal strike position as of April 11th.
IUOE Local 772 Operating Engineers on strike at Western!
October 12th, 2023
Western’s Operating Engineers are on strike. Their labour is essential to the safe running of Heating, Ventilation and AC systems and utilities across the university.
UWOFA files Notice of Application for Judicial Review
October 11th, 2023
The University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA) has served and filed a Notice of Application for Judicial Review related to their Employer’s unilateral decision to "integrate" Brescia University College into the University of Western Ontario, the process followed in reaching that decision, and the steps taken in furtherance of the decision to date.
Strike Averted – UWOFA-LA has signed Tentative Agreement
October 4th, 2023
The Negotiating Team has now signed a tentative agreement with the Employer and recommends that the UWOFA-LA Membership ratify this deal.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 23
September 26th, 2023
It has been a tumultuous week for many in our campus community, given the announcement about Western’s impending integration with an affiliate college and its manifold implications.
UWOFA concerned about implications of Brescia/Western merger
September 25th, 2023
The University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA) has significant concerns about the announcement, made last week, that Brescia University College will integrate with Western University, beginning in May 2024.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 22
September 18th, 2023
As we reported last week, the Librarians and Archivists strike vote returned a 100% YES! Mandate.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 21
September 7th, 2023
With the fall term beginning soon, many Librarians and Archivists are preparing materials for teaching or in support of faculty teaching. Please read on for UWOFA’s advice for how to manage this work in the event of a potential labour disruption.
UWOFA-LA Bargaining Unit in a legal strike position as of October 4
September 6th, 2023
The Bargaining Unit representing Librarians and Archivists at the University of Western Ontario (UWOFA-LA) held a strike vote last week, as part of a series of necessary steps in preparing for strike action.
UWOFA negotiating team is returning to the bargaining table
September 6th, 2023
The University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA) negotiating team is returning to the bargaining table tomorrow, after an extended summer break, to continue to fight for a fair deal for Western’s Librarians and Archivists.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 20
August 30th, 2023
With the fall term beginning soon, many Librarians and Archivists are preparing materials for teaching or in support of faculty teaching. Please read on for UWOFA’s advice for how to manage this work in the event of a potential labour disruption.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 19
August 23rd, 2023
Paul Pooler has been appointed as conciliator for our negotiations by the Ministry of Labour.
UWOFA Wins Parental Benefits Grievance
August 16th, 2023
UWOFA is pleased to report our recent success in a policy grievance we filed regarding parental leave entitlements.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 18
August 16th, 2023
Our employer refuses to negotiate over the hiring of additional librarians and archivists or even to maintain the existing complement.
Part-Time Faculty Compensation for extra work outside of contract
July 19th, 2023
It has come to UWOFA's attention that Part-Time Faculty Members are uncertain about how compensation for extra work outside of their contracts will be administered.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 17
July 18th, 2023
UWOFA has now filed a request with the Ministry of Labour to appoint a conciliation officer to assist us with negotiations.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 16
July 18th, 2023
UWOFA signed off on Pregnancy and Parental/Adoption Leave and presented our response to the Employer’s monetary proposal.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 15
July 18th, 2023
The three bargaining sessions this week are the last ones we have scheduled before we will take a break for the summer.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 14
June 29th, 2023
This afternoon we received the Employer’s monetary proposals, which include the Compensation and Benefits article as well as a number of other important articles.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 13
June 27th, 2023
This morning the parties signed off on LOU - Annual Planning Processes and LOU - Transition Provisions for Biennial Report and Review and reached agreement on Biennial Report and Review.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 12
June 26th, 2023
We anticipate that the Employer will present their monetary proposals this week, but we did not receive them today.
Tentative agreement on post-Bill 124 pay increases and ratification vote
June 26th, 2023
After several months of negotiating efforts, UWOFA has succeeded in reaching a tentative agreement with the administration on a deal that reopens the pay increase components of the collective agreement that the membership ratified in late November of 2022.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 11
June 23rd, 2023
As we come to the end of a full week of bargaining, I would like to extend to this unit and the UWOFA team supporting the negotiation and communication processes a hearty round of gratitude.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 10
June 22nd, 2023
Today’s session was short but significant in that we were able to outline key concerns about the increasing deprofessionalization of librarianship, informed by both relevant literature and autoethnographic research.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 9
June 21st, 2023
This continues to be a busy week of bargaining with UWOFA and the Employer meeting each day.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 8
June 20th, 2023
Please save the date for an information session on Wednesday July 5th, 10-11am.
Academic freedom, research security risks, and CSIS on campus
June 14th, 2023
UWOFA is very concerned about these serious issues. Our goals with this session were to ensure members were well-informed, by including speakers representing a variety of vantage points, and to remind everyone that academic freedom is a lynchpin of scholarship which we all must defend.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 7
June 13th, 2023
UWOFA and the Employer had their fourth bargaining meeting June 12.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 6
June 6th, 2023
UWOFA and the Employer had their third bargaining meeting June 6th.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 5
May 17th, 2023
UWOFA and the Employer had their second bargaining meeting on May 16.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 4
May 16th, 2023
UWOFA and the Employer had their first bargaining meeting yesterday afternoon.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 3
May 9th, 2023
UWOFA and the Employer have now held five housekeeping meetings. One more is scheduled for Friday, May 5 to complete a few remaining items.
Changes to Performance Evaluation for Full- and Part-Time Faculty Members
May 2nd, 2023
Our new collective agreement contains some fundamental changes to the way performance evaluations will be administered.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 6, No. 2
April 28th, 2023
UWOFA and the Employer have now held five housekeeping meetings. One more is scheduled for Friday, May 5 to complete a few remaining items.
UWOFA Contract Faculty Research and Professional Development Fund
April 27th, 2023
Application for the UWOFA Contract Faculty Research and Professional Development Fund (CFRPDF) is now open.
Librarians & Archivists: Bargaining Bulletin – Vol. 6, No. 1 – Notice given
April 12th, 2023
As with the Faculty negotiations last year, many of the bargaining goals we have identified reflect a common theme - the systemic underfunding of our labour across campus, due to a budget model that is fundamentally broken.
UWOFA calls on the Ontario government to halt the appeals process
March 10th, 2023
The University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA) is calling on the Ontario government to halt the appeals process and accept Justice Kuehnen’s ruling which struck down Bill 124 in November of last year.
UWOFA concerned to see masking mandate end without warning
February 8th, 2023
UWOFA is concerned that Western has abruptly terminated its mask mandate in instructional spaces.
UWOFA meeting with Employer to renegotiate pay increases – Take Action now to show your support!
December 19th, 2022
We call on members to take action and join UWOFA in urging the Employer to agree to higher compensation before the Provincial government attempts to reinstate Bill 124.
Faculty collective agreement is fully ratified
December 2nd, 2022
We can now report that the Faculty collective agreement 2022-26 is fully ratified.
Bill 124 struck down, UWOFA urges Ford government not to appeal
November 30th, 2022
UWOFA applauds the Ontario Court decision to strike down Bill 124, a law that limited wage increases for public sector employees.
Experiential learning
November 14th, 2022
Experiential learning is a key component of Western’s strategic plan, and they promote these learning experiences to prospective students, alumni and donors.
Strike Deadline Set for November 14, 11:59pm
November 10th, 2022
The UWOFA Board of Directors met this afternoon and has set a strike deadline of 11:59 p.m., Monday, November 14th.
Faculty Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 8, No. 13
November 7th, 2022
Given the recent passage of Bill 28 which aggressively attacks workers’ rights in Ontario, good faith collective bargaining is more important than ever.
Picket Line Locations for CUPE Strike on Friday November 4
November 3rd, 2022
UWOFA stands with the CUPE education workers as they fight back against the Ontario’s government in its attempt to interfere with fair and democratic collective bargaining.
UWOFA stands with education workers in Ontario
November 1st, 2022
UWOFA stands with education workers in Ontario, represented by CUPE-OSBCU (Ontario School Board Council of Unions).
Time is running out to avert a strike
October 28th, 2022
The “No Board” report UWOFA requested last week was filed with the Ministry of Labour.
Faculty Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 8, No. 11
October 7th, 2022
As we reported earlier in the week, we now have a strong strike authorization mandate, with a 91% YES vote.
Strike Vote Results
October 3rd, 2022
We are pleased to report that 91% of ballots cast were YES votes, in support of the UWOFA Board of Directors authorizing strike action if necessary.
Vote Yes!
September 21st, 2022
Here is all the information you need to Vote “YES” to a strike vote next week.
UWOFA calls for Strike Vote, Polls open Sept. 26th
September 20th, 2022
This week’s Bargaining Update provides an overview of negotiating progress so far and explains why we are now calling for a strike vote.
Unionization drive for GSAs and GRAs
September 19th, 2022
UWOFA strongly supports PSAC 610 in starting a unionization drive for Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs) and Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs).
Every Budget is a Choice 3.0
September 16th, 2022
We have prepared a report to outline Western’s current economic position. As you will see, Western has the money to reinvest in faculty and the academic mission, but they are choosing not to.
Faculty Bargaining Bulletin – Vol. 8, No. 9
September 9th, 2022
Welcome to the fall semester! Your Mobilization Committee and volunteers have been busy this week, connecting with students during O-Week events and the greater London community at the Labour Day picnic.
Faculty Bargaining Bulletin – Vol. 8, No. 8
August 26th, 2022
As members prepare for the fall semester and students begin to arrive on campus, your negotiating team at UWOFA is back at the bargaining table with the Employer.
UWOFA supports Covid safety protocols on Western campus
August 24th, 2022
UWOFA supports Western’s recent announcement regarding Covid policies as we return to campus for the fall semester.
UWOFA Calls for Health Protocol Clarification
August 18th, 2022
UWOFA is still waiting for confirmation regarding the Covid health protocols.
Faculty Bargaining Bulletin – Vol. 8, No. 7
July 21st, 2022
As you know, the UWOFA Board of Directors voted unanimously last week to file a request with the Ministry of Labour to appoint a conciliation officer to assist us with negotiations.
UWOFA Calls for Conciliation, Bargaining Bulletin – Vol. 8, No. 6
July 18th, 2022
UWOFA’s negotiating team met last Thursday and Friday with the administration's team.
Faculty Bargaining Bulletin – Vol. 8, No. 5
July 7th, 2022
Our faculty collective agreement expired on June 30th. The Employer has yet to meet with your UWOFA negotiating team to begin bargaining for a new collective agreement, although dates have been set.
Faculty Bargaining Bulletin – Vol. 8, No. 4
June 23rd, 2022
Negotiating teams from UWOFA and the Employer have agreed on meeting dates for the Indigenous faculty side table and for collective bargaining.
Faculty Bargaining Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 3
June 16th, 2022
When the Employer was not following through on its stated intention to schedule bargaining meetings, UWOFA proposed 29 half days for the parties to meet to negotiate in the period from June 13 to July 15. The Employer is only now responding to the UWOFA negotiating team’s proposal.
Faculty Bargaining Bulletin Vol. 8, No. 2
June 10th, 2022
UWOFA has been working hard to get to the table and begin negotiations for a new faculty collective agreement. The current agreement expires on June 30th, 2022, which is coming up very soon.
Join UWOFA in remembering Our London Family
June 6th, 2022
It has been one year since the attack that took the lives of Salman Afzaal, Madiha Salman, Talat Afzaal, and Yumna Afzaal.
UWOFA Contract Faculty Research and Professional Development Fund
April 20th, 2022
Application for the UWOFA Contract Faculty Research and Professional Development Fund is now open.
Faculty Bargaining Bulletin – Vol. 8, No. 1
April 19th, 2022
UWOFA has been working for several months on preparations to negotiate a new faculty collective agreement. The current agreement expires on June 30th, 2022.
UWOFA advocates for faculty autonomy and PPE in return to campus plans
January 17th, 2022
On Friday, Jan. 14 the employer sent a notice about its return to campus plan. UWOFA acknowledges the stress and hard work of all our members and continues to advocate strongly on your behalf.
UWOFA accepting nominations for Tom Murphy Memorial Award
January 4th, 2022
UWOFA is accepting nominations for the Tom Murphy Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to UWOFA.
Faculty Times December 2021
December 18th, 2021
Collective action plays key role in academic life, Survey sheds light on needs of equity-seeking members, Apply for UWOFA's Covid Relief Fund and more.
Upcoming deadline for librarians, archivists to submit request for promotion and continuing appointment extension
December 9th, 2021
Academic librarians and archivists are reminded that the deadline for submitting a request for an extension to their promotion and continuing appointment clocks is December 31, 2021.
Deadline for librarians’ and archivists’ Annual Report submission extended
November 15th, 2021
The deadline for librarian and archivist Members to send their ARR submissions to the Chief Librarian or Dean or designate, with copy to the immediate supervisor, is now Friday, December 3, 2021.
UWOFA calls on Western to adhere to Step 3 regulations in the interest of public safety
August 31st, 2021
As the Delta variant surges and thousands of students, staff, and faculty prepare to return to campus, UWOFA calls on Western to take the following four steps in order to ensure the health and safety of the Western community.
UWO Faculty Association calls on Western to adopt Covid-19 vaccine requirement
July 20th, 2021
In light of the announcement Monday by the provincial government about a normal return to campus in September, UWOFA calls on Western university administration to require all eligible students, staff, faculty, librarians and archivists to be fully vaccinated before coming to campus, acknowledging that some may be exempt for medical or religious reasons.
UWOFA condemns program, job cuts at Laurentian University
April 15th, 2021
The union representing faculty members at Western University (UWOFA) condemns unprecedented academic program and job cuts announced at Laurentian University this week, and calls on Western University administration to speak out as well.
UWOFA urges government to end restructuring process at Laurentian University
April 8th, 2021
UWOFA urges the government to end the restructuring process at Laurentian University.
UWOFA calls for Chancellor’s resignation
January 25th, 2021
The union representing faculty members at Western University is calling for the resignation of Chancellor Linda Hasenfratz, saying her apology for taking a holiday trip outside Canada mid-pandemic is not good enough.
Faculty Times December 2020
December 6th, 2020
Toward a stronger, more united, more engaged Association, New Letter of Understanding recognizes distinct demands placed on Indigenous faculty members, Apply for UWOFA's Covid Relief Fund and more.
Tentative agreement ratified – Vol. 7 No. 16
November 26th, 2018
The UWOFA membership has voted to ratify the tentative faculty collective agreement reached with the university administration. Members of the faculty bargaining unit voted 90 per cent in favour of the deal in a vote that closed Friday, November 23.
Ratification vote scheduled – Vol. 7 No. 15
November 16th, 2018
The UWOFA Board of Directors has recommended that the tentative faculty collective agreement reached with the administration on Friday November 9 be brought to the membership for ratification.
Tentative agreement reached
November 9th, 2018
The University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA) is pleased to announce that a tentative faculty collective agreement has been reached with the university administration.
November 7 bargaining update – Vol. 7 No. 14
November 7th, 2018
Yesterday, at this late stage in bargaining, the employer asked your negotiating team for concessions in our existing health benefits package - concessions that had not been proposed in their previous offers at the table.
It’s Time to Reinvest in Western’s Core Mission: A Bargaining Issues Update – Vol. 7 No. 8
November 6th, 2018
Western’s financial position is extremely strong, and yet the Board of Governors and administration consistently choose not to reinvest in the core mission of quality education, teaching and research. As our examination of the university's budget reveals, the university has accumulated close to $700 million in surplus over the past 9 years.
Conciliation to begin Thursday in faculty contract negotiations – Vol. 7 No. 11
October 9th, 2018
A provincially appointed conciliator, Greg Long, will join your negotiating team and the employer at the bargaining table beginning this Thursday, October 11.
Faculty vote 94% in favour of strike mandate – Vol. 7 No. 10
September 27th, 2018
The UWOFA membership has voted 94 per cent in favour of strike action to strengthen bargaining goals during faculty negotiations.
UWOFA strike vote: Frequently asked questions – Vol. 7 No. 9
September 19th, 2018
Last week, UWOFA announced that a strike vote will be held for members of the faculty Bargaining Unit. Please see below for some frequently asked questions about the strike vote process.
