The Association of Part-Time Professors of the University of Ottawa (APTPUO) is publicly denouncing what it sees as unfair and damaging labour practices in the form of the university administration's union busting approach to negotiations.
The APTPUO teaches almost 60% of all courses at the institution and is the lowest paid university employee group, with no job security. Its members are routinely terminated ("not renewed") without cause.
The APTPUO has put out this press release today:
Association of Part-Time Professors of the University of Ottawa*
85 University Street, suite 124
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5
613-562-5800 ext. 4375 | www.twitter.com/aptpuoRocky Road Ahead for Canada's University's Part-Time Professors
Ottawa, 26 April 2011 - The University of Ottawa is not fulfilling its requirement to bargain with its part-time professors. This group represented by the Association of Part-Time Professors at the University of Ottawa (APTPUO*) teaches almost 60% of the courses offered at this institution. The Employer wants to deny the right to union representation to certain professors, and categorically refuses to bargain any other issue. It has put a halt to the ongoing conciliation process, to the astonishment of the APTPUO.
Pushed against the wall with the Employer in a legal position to lock them out in early May 2011, the APTPUO held a strike vote on April 20th and April 21st. Part-Time Professors voted 97,6% in favour of a strike, in the event the impasse persists. This demonstrates a strong level of support for their union and its elected Bargaining Committee.
"The Employer wants to do everything it wants and be accountable to nobody, said Greer Knox, President of the APTPUO. It never wanted to bargain constructively and it bargained in bad faith. The University has not demonstrated an interest in the impact these issues have on our students and the whole community. The strong support of our members sends a clear signal to the Employer that it must return to the bargaining table."
Several unions at the University of Ottawa support the part-time professors in their efforts to get a fair deal, including the Full-time professors union (APUO), the Student academic workers' union (CUPE 2626), and the Support staff union (SSUO).
The Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) and the Graduate Student Association (GSAED), have also voiced their support to the APTPUO and are concerned about the aggressive attitude the University has demonstrated in this round of negotiations.
* The APTPUO is the Association of Part-Time Professors of the University of Ottawa. It represents approximately 1500 members teaching approximately 60% of the courses offered at the University of Ottawa. Some 3000 courses are taught each year by part-time professors.
For further information
Greer Knox
President, APTPUO
The APTPUO has also made this April 28th appeal for support:
Dear friends, students, fellow employees, labour activists and members of the community,
The Association of Part-Time Professors of the University of Ottawa (APTPUO) is concerned about the way that the University of Ottawa's Bargaining Team has been conducting negotiations; it appears to be nothing short of bullying, threats of union busting and bad faith!
On April 11th 2011, the University of Ottawa Bargaining Team walked away from the government-led conciliation process and instructed the Ontario Ministry of Labour to issue a “No Board” report – which means that by early May 2011, the University will be in a legal position to lock us out and the APTPUO will be in a legal position to strike.
Since first meeting on March 5, 2010, the Employer has rejected all submissions made by the APTPUO. The Employer would discuss only one issue, which is that APTPUO professors who teach non-credit courses in the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute and the Faculty of Education be unilaterally excluded from the Union, thus losing all salary, benefits, and seniority provisions of the APTPUO Collective Agreement – or, that we accept a pay DECREASE of 66% for these members. This is not bargaining!
We are asking you to support the APTPUO by sending a message to the University of Ottawa Board of Governors and their Bargaining Team in order to force the University back to the bargaining table to address our demands for improvements in salary, job security, and working conditions so that we may continue to provide the highest quality of education on our campus.
For the latest information on negotiations, informational tools, ways to get involved and our latest Press releases, visit our new website: www.FairDealAPTPUO.com.
In solidarity,
APTPUO Bargaining Committee and Board of Directors
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