ULFA members on the picket line outside the U of L February 18, 2022. Photo: LNN

By Cathy Gibson

Unfair Labour Practice complaint filed against the U of L

Feb 28, 2022 | 5:37 PM

Lethbridge, AB. — *Updated information with U of L’s response.*

The University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA) says it has filed an Unfair Labour Practice complaint with the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) against the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors.

In the complaint, the ULFA alleges that the U of L Board has refused to bargain seriously throughout the current round of negotiations. The ULFA accuses the U of L Board of what it calls “surface bargaining” — which is when a party shows up at the negotiating table, but refuses to engage seriously with the other party’s proposals.

In a news release dated February 28, 2022, the ULFA stated that, “According to the complaint, the University Administration has engaged in a concerted and ongoing effort to avoid genuine and productive bargaining with the Association…'”

The ULFA alleges that the U of L Board of Governors falsely accused the union of refusing to meet to negotiate. The ULFA says it has never refused to meet with the U of L Board during this round of negotiations, and it says the Board has actually refused in writing to meet with the ULFA on three different occasions since the job action started.

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ULFA members went on strike February 10, 2022, and the University locked out faculty members the following day. The ULFA has been without a contract since June 2020.

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“It is the students that suffer most,” said ULFA President Dan O’Donnell. “We are not the only university in Alberta suffering under budget cuts and a secret government mandate. And yet when it comes to settling our differences and keeping students in classes, only the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors seems unable to make the hard but fair choices that are required to get our students back to class.”

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The ULFA complaint asks the ALRB to provide four years of annual financial statements and to require the two sides to meet under the oversight of a provincial mediator.

“It may be that this is the only way we’ll be able to reach [an] agreement,” said ULFA bargaining team member, Joy Morris. “It’s worked everywhere else. After two years of spinning our wheels, it’s time we get this settled and start catching up on the semester.”

University of Lethbridge statement in response to the ULFA’s complaint filed with the Alberta Labour Relations Board:

“ULFA’s recent complaint before the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) is without merit and is unlikely to facilitate a productive return to bargaining.

We continue to seek a negotiated settlement at the collective bargaining table.

We look forward to the union’s participation in productive discussions that reflect the impacts of our provincial funding cuts, and the fundamental need for financial stability.”

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