Bitter cold doesn’t deter striking faculty at Laurentian University

Striking faculty at Laurentian University were on the picket lines for a second day Tuesday, where the frigid temperatures failed to dampen their spirits.

On one of the coldest days of the year, striking faculty at Laurentian University in Sudbury were outside staffing the picket line Tuesday in support of their contract demands.

“Our hearts are kept warm by the overwhelming support we are receiving -- it’s coming from everywhere,” said Fabrice Colin, president of Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA).

Since the strike started Monday, Colin said he’s heard from other unions across the province, including faculty unions at other post-secondary schools.

Pensions, workload, salaries

LUFA said their priorities to strike a new contract are pension improvements, balanced workloads and salaries comparable to other universities.

After making so many sacrifices during the insolvency process, the union says its time for the administration to come through for them.

A representative for Laurentian’s administration said they recognize the critical role faculty played during the school’s CCAA process, and when it came to rebuilding the school’s reputation after it emerged from insolvency.

Alain Simard, acting provost and vice-president academic, said the wages they’re proposing to the faculty are comparable to those at other universities.

“But we also have to be aware of making sure that we’re also having a deal that’s financially sustainable,” Simard said.

“So that we’re not going to put ourselves in a situation where we essentially erase some of the gains that we’ve made in the past couple of years.”

Impact on students

Both sides said they want to keep the labour dispute as short as possible to minimize the impact on students. But there are currently no talks planned.

Colin said the union is ready to talk any time.

“We’re inviting the administration to come to the table but so far they don’t seem too interested,” he said.

“But we’re ready and are on call.”

In the meantime, students are caught in the middle with their education on hold.

Sherifa Alaoui, president of the Students General Association, said they’ve had about 100 inquiries from students about the strike, but most are short-term concerns.

“Students are just concerned about whether they’re going to still be doing their classes, whether their deadlines are still up; whether they would have to be doing their assignments on time and being able to post them in time for their initial deadline,” Alaoui said.

Alaoui said the SGA is not taking sides in the labour dispute, but is supporting students by ensuring their questions are answered.

LUFA is planning a large rally Friday at noon at the entrance to Laurentian’s main campus.

Colin said other local unions will be there to show support, as well as union representatives from other parts of the province.