(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

update: classes return Wed., Mar. 23

BREAKING: ULFA accepts new agreement, bringing an end to strike

Mar 21, 2022 | 7:33 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Students at the U of L will be back in class on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

Members of the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA) have voted to accept a new collective agreement.

92% of members cast ballots, 91% of whom voted yes.

The Board says staff are hard at work on implementing a quick return to classes.

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“Faculty members will return to work tomorrow under the guidance of a negotiated Return to Work protocol. All student academic activities, including classes, research and placements, will resume Wednesday.”

While the Board states that the new deal reflects many of the recommendations in the mediator’s report, it is not clear if there are any differences between that and the actual collective agreement.

“The new collective agreement also protects the University’s ability to maintain equitable access to affordable, high-quality education, which is fundamental to our future, and the futures of our faculty, employees and students,” reads a statement from the Board.

ULFA members had been on strike since February 10, 2022, after they and the Board of Governors had been unable to agree on many outstanding issues.

Monday’s ratification vote put an end to the strike, which had been ongoing for nearly six weeks.

READ MORE: University of Lethbridge Faculty on strike

The two sides spent much of last week in enhanced arbitration.

The ULFA is set to speak Tuesday morning to give more details and reactions to Monday’s ratification vote.