U-of-L students supporting faculty

By Connor Gunn

Contract negotiations continue at the U of L

Feb 8, 2022 | 1:26 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — Negotiations are continuing at the University of Lethbridge today.

The talks resumed after the U of L Board of Governors withdrew its application to the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) for an urgent hearing and interim order to prevent the Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA) from going on strike.

Previous story: U of L Faculty vote 92% to strike, could start Thursday

The application was filed on Monday morning and withdrawn later that day.

In a statement released Tuesday, ULFA President Dan O’Donnell welcomed the news, saying, “We are grateful that the Administration has taken the afternoon to reconsider their position and withdraw their application.”

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“We have long said that our collective energies are much better spent trying to reach agreement at the table.”

The U of L Faculty Association (ULFA) and the U of L Board have recently been unable to agree on a new contract.

Several outstanding key issues are still at play, such as pay and benefits, academic freedom, and certain departments at the school being restructured.

“In the end, this is about the students,” O’Donnell said. “It’s important that we work together to reach an agreement.”

ULFA spokesperson and bargaining team member, Joy Morris, is optimistic about the ongoing negotiations. “We hope that this reflects a change in approach by the university administration,” she said. “After two years, the time for procedural games has passed. It is now time for the two sides to meet and try to find a route forward towards settlement.”

The talks continue, and LNN will provide further updates as they become available.