L&A Resources
The UWOFA-LA negotiating team, led by Johanna Weststar and Kristin Hoffmann have been bargaining with Western’s administration for a new collective agreement for Librarians and Archivists at Western University since May 2023.
You can find updates on how negotiations are going here.
UWOFA Strike FAQ 2023
Background
The UWOFA negotiating team, led by Johanna Weststar, has been in negotiations with Western’s administration for a new collective agreement since May. The Parties were engaged in productive and collegial bargaining throughout the process. However, it is the Employer’s refusal to commit to appropriate Human Resource planning or to adequately compensate Librarians and Archivists for their important work, that has brought things to the point where we must now actively prepare for a potential labour disruption. When we broke for the summer it had already become clear that the Employer was immovable regarding a number of our key issues, including complement and a fair monetary package, and as result we requested to have a conciliator appointed by the Ontario Ministry of Labour. When we returned after this two-month break, we hoped to see some movement in the Employer’s position, but none was forthcoming, leading us to conclude that bargaining was at an impasse.
A strike vote was then held from September 13-14 and 100% of ballots cast were YES votes, empowering the UWOFA Board to authorize strike action, should it become necessary. The negotiating team also asked Paul Pooler to file a “No Board” report with the Ministry of Labour – this was filed on September 17th, resulting in UWOFA’s Librarian and Archivist Bargaining Unit being in a legal strike position as of 12:01 am on October 4th. We have set this date as a strike deadline, unless a settlement is reached or seems imminent. .
While UWOFA continues to bargain in good faith with the goal of reaching a fair and equitable collective agreement for all Librarians and Archivists, we are also preparing for a strike or lockout. Strike preparedness sends a strong message to the Employer about the unity and conviction of Members in the Bargaining Unit. It also sends an unequivocal message that the membership stands behind its negotiating team.
These guidelines represent policy adopted by the UWOFA Board of Directors; they represent what your Board is expecting of all Bargaining Unit members. The decision to honour or break a strike is the individual’s own. This is something that neither the Association nor the Administration can decide for you.
This FAQ is also a working document, which is subject to changes as necessitated by the duration of a potential strike action. Please check back for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions for Librarians and Archivists can be found on sync.
Class talks and Presentations
FAQ slides about L&A bargaining to share in class and with your students!
Email Signature
Adding an email signature is quick and easy! Just copy/paste the one below into your email signature on outlook. The icons and website are hyperlinked and will take you to UWOFA’s accounts. This signature can be customized!
Resources
Show your support for Western’s Librarians and Archivists, download and print posters, change your Zoom background and profile pictures using the templates found here.
Posters and t-shirts are also available for pickup in Elborn College, room 2120.
Take Action
Go to our Take Action page for ways to get involved and get loud on social media!