Laurentian University strike enters 5th day as national solidarity rally draws crowd

Laurentian University faculty, on strike for a fifth day on Friday, held a national solidarity rally. Lyndsay Aelick has the latest.

Friday marked the fifth day of strike action by the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA). Members were joined by students, faculty association members from universities across the country and representatives from several local unions during a solidarity rally at the university’s entrance on Ramsey Lake Road.

In a statement reflecting the stalemate at the bargaining table, LUFA President Fabrice Colin reported no new developments from the administration.

“No news, from the administration, as we mentioned. We’re ready to go back at the table the minute, the employer signals interest,” he said.

Colin emphasized the significance of the widespread support visible at the rally.

“It was heartwarming to see all this show of solidarity today with all these picketers coming from across the country for all local unions, campus unions (and) MPP Jamie West.”

National faculty associations pledge ongoing support

The rally saw participation from faculty associations spanning the nation, from Halifax to Manitoba, with pledges to return every Friday until the strike concludes.

Orvie Dingwall, a member of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association, drew on personal experience to underscore the importance of such solidarity.

“I’ve been on strike twice at the University of Manitoba in 2016 and in 2021 and the kind of support that comes from unions from far away, the local ones, it really is so heartwarming,” he said.

“It just reinforced – it reinstates, to your core, that those on strike, all they want to be doing is teaching students. But conditions have just gotten so poor that they need to be out here and they’ve got the entire labour movement behind them.”

Local labour movement braces cold to stand together

The picket line was fortified by members of local unions, including CUPE, OPSEU, Unifor, and the Steelworkers. Sudbury MPP Jamie West highlighted the determined atmosphere despite harsh weather conditions.

“There was a sign that says you can tell it’s important for out here -20 and it’s actually colder than that today,” said West.

“Everyone here is freezing cold – but we’re showing up to stand together because we all believe in a stronger university.”

University maintains readiness to negotiate

Meanwhile, the university issued a statement Friday afternoon reiterating its position.

“The university stands ready to return to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith an agreement that is fair to LUFA members and also ensures Laurentian University is strong for the future,” the statement read in part.

“We urge LUFA leadership to do the same.”

The university has asserted that it had presented its strongest possible offer.

The labour disruption involves approximately 500 LUFA members and affects between 6,000 and 7,000 students.