The following is a media release from the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association regarding the strike of librarians and archivists at Western which began at today. There will be a rally at Western tomorrow – September 9, 2011 – at 12:15 p.m. at the main gates of Richmond Rd.
http://www.uwofa.ca/newsevents/id:213
UWO Librarians & Archivists on Legal Strike
September 7th, 2011
Librarians and Archivists at the University of Western Ontario will be on a legal strike as of 12:01 a.m. September 8.
“It is with great regret that we make this decision,” said Bryce Traister, UWOFA President. “We simply haven’t seen enough movement on the key issues important to our members. We find it disrespectful and I am personally disappointed that administration didn’t see fit to address longstanding challenges.”
Mediated talks between the UWO Faculty Association, which represents the bargaining unit, and the university administration broke off today after extended negotiating sessions with the employer came to a deadlock at 11:00 a.m.
Outstanding issues at the table include: a long-standing pay gap of 20 per cent between Western Librarians and Archivists – most of whom are women – and colleagues at comparative universities in Ontario. Other issues include staff complement and workload.
The 50 unionized librarians and archivists have been without a contract since June 30, 2011.
Pickets will be placed at two locations: the main gates at Richmond Rd and the Alumni Hall entrance off Western Rd. starting at 7:30 a.m.
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Mark Rosenfeld, Ph.D
Executive Director
Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations
83 Yonge Street, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1S8
Tel: 416-979-2117 x229
Fax: 416-593-5607
E-mail: [email protected]