The Allan Rock administration of the University of Ottawa fired tenured physics professor of 23 years Denis Rancourt in 2009. (LINK)
The dismissal is a major academic freedom case in Canada and is being investigated by an Independent Committee of Inquiry (ICOI) of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT).
The conflict has been covered in the national (Globe and Mail, National Post, Macleans), international (New York Times) and regional media: LINK.
The University has only now accepted scheduling a binding arbitration process, following an unfair labour practice complaint by Rancourt to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). The latter OLRB action and its outcome are fully disclosed by Rancourt HERE.
The first hearing day (full day) will be Monday May 2nd (9:30 am, 130 Albert Street, Varette Board Room, Level B1).
Arbitrator: Claude H. Foisy (based in Montreal)
Union Lead Lawyer: Sean McGee, of Nelligan O'Brian Payne LLP
University Lead lawyer: Lynn Harnden, of Emond Harnden LLP
Grievor: Denis G. Rancourt
Fifteen days of hearings are foreseen, extending into 2012. The hearings are expected to be open to the public and the media.
The hearing will likely be an intense battle and it is believed that the university's first priority is that the grievor never be allowed to be reinstated.
There is a clear and unanimous commitment from the union (APUO) for Rancourt to be reinstated.
Rancourt's position is that the dismissal was unjustified, that the grading question was used as a pretext for the dismissal and that there is evidence of employer bad faith.
Rancourt will be the main witness on the union side.
For more information please contact the chair of Rancourt's support committee Professor Claude Lamontagne at claude.cde (at) gmail.com. Extensive background information is provided HERE.
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