U of L Faculty Association on strike - February 18, 2022. Photo: LNN

By Jerran Fisher

University of Lethbridge students join professors on the picket lines

Feb 18, 2022 | 5:12 PM

Lethbridge, AB — Students are showing support for their instructors at the University of Lethbridge.

Students joined members of the U of L Faculty Association (ULFA) on the picket lines Friday, February 18. Food was provided by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees and music was playing to keep morale high for the picketers.

Teachers unions from across the country have also sent representatives to Lethbridge to support the ULFA.

The University of Northern British Columbia Faculty Association and University of Manitoba Faculty Association are sending $1000 and $2000 respectively each week to the ULFA.

University of Lethbridge students support faculty strike – February 18, 2022. Photo: LNN

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Locke Spencer, Chief Spokesperson for the ULFA, says the Association hasn’t met with the University of Lethbridge Collective Bargaining Team since the strike began February 10.

“I’m very disappointed to report that we have not yet met with the board negotiating team since the strike started. They have refused our invitations multiple times. I’m not sure they realize what we have here. We are negotiating from a position of strength. We are negotiating something that will improve our institution. We are negotiating something that will help the learning conditions for all of our students, the long term longevity and reputation of our institution, our research expertise, all of our creative activities.”

Dan O’Donnell, president of the ULFA, said the strike is about making the university better.

“This strike is about making sure that we’re treated with respect. This strike is about when students show up at board meetings, they’re not told to put their hands down. This strike is about students showing up in class, with their professors staying that extra time. This this strike is about students working with professors on their research, not because it’s their hobby, but because that’s what this university is about.”

The University of Lethbridge Collective Bargaining Team released a statement Wednesday, saying members of the ULFA have representatives in many governance bodies at the school, including the budget advisory committee and the Board of Governors.

The U of L bargaining team says its primary goal is to ensure students are provided an exceptional, and affordable education.

“We are currently in a challenging economic situation that requires difficult choices. Our University governance is positioned to make those choices based on the input of many stakeholders, including our faculty.”

The University says it will resume negotiations once the ULFA rectifies what the Board calls “inconsistent and unproductive salary negotiations.”

Read More: University students frustrated with U of L job action.