(London, Ont. ) — The University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA) strongly opposes Western University’s recently implemented Policy 1.1.1 (Prohibition of Camping on University Property) and Procedure 1.1 (Obtaining Authorization to Hold a Demonstration). These measures, quietly put into effect on August 29, 2024, without appropriate notice or consultation with campus stakeholders, represent a significant threat to academic freedom and freedom of expression on campus. 

The new procedure is alarmingly broad, targeting not only large-scale protests but also individual actions such as leafleting. This overreach severely restricts the rights of faculty, staff, and students to engage in peaceful assembly and express dissenting views.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) criticized the policy, noting that it “conflicts with the University’s mandate, and undermines free expression and academic freedom by creating unnecessary barriers for peaceful assembly and expression.”

“We’re very concerned about the scope of this procedure as it unduly restricts fundamental rights on campus and violates other important elements of our collective agreement pertaining to consultation,” said Johanna Weststar, President of UWOFA. “Given the scope, this does not seem to be about clarity and consistency to ensure safety—it is a violation of an academic institution’s core principles of fostering debate and dialogue over difficult issues. This procedure also goes further than anything seen in past practice. It’s nonsensical and arbitrary in many ways. If it really is about safety, why is it unsafe to have a demonstration in the morning?”

The policy contradicts Western’s own Freedom of Expression Policy (MAPP 1.54) and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. UWOFA is committed to defending these fundamental rights and will explore all available options to protect these rights and academic freedom. UWOFA has today filed a policy grievance under each of our collective agreements.

UWOFA urges Western University to retract these policies and procedures and engage in meaningful dialogue with the campus community to both maintain a safe environment and uphold the principles of academic freedom and free expression that are essential to the university’s mission.

Contact:
Bethany Taylor, UWOFA Communications and Engagement Officer
outreach@uwofa.ca
519-661-2111 x. 87965

CUPE 2361, representing custodial, maintenance, grounds and arena staff at Western University have been on strike since August 30th, 2024. These workers are critical to the day-to-day operations of the University, ensuring that the campus remains clean, safe, and well-maintained.

On Friday, University administrators began circulating requests for UWOFA Members to “remove any waste in private offices and areas to the waste and recycling stations that are currently available in the public hallways, during this labour disruption.”

UWOFA President, Johanna Weststar, wrote immediately to the senior administration at Western stating that:

“UWOFA takes this as a formal request for UWOFA Members to do the work of striking CUPE 2361 workers and we hereby officially and collectively decline under clause 5 in the No Strike or Lock-out Article in both of our collective agreements.”

Clause 5 explicitly states that “Members have the right to decline to perform the normal duties of striking or locked-out employees of the Employer during a legal Strike by another Bargaining Unit of employees of the Employer or during any Lock-out of another Bargaining Unit by the Employer.”

We requested that the administration cease in making any further requests to our Members to undermine the CUPE 2361 strike. However, our Members have continued to receive messages which suggest or intimate that we could handle our own garbage. This is a shameful and underhanded attempt to pressure you to do work that is not your own and divide the workers on this campus. We are actively in the process of filing a policy grievance on this issue.

CUPE 2361 workers are on strike for a decent living wage and the staffing complement necessary to properly care for this campus. The more of us who stand in solidarity with them, the shorter their strike will need to be. Our collective strength and respect for our collective agreements are vital in ensuring that all workers at Western University are treated fairly.

We continue to expect that Members use their garbage bins and the University space as usual and decline to perform any work normally carried out by CUPE 2361 Members. This includes Members who may volunteer at Care Hubs and those who may be hosting in-person events that require clean-up. Report any problems with overfull or unsanitary bins or lack of event clean-up to your Dean. We have been informed that Facilities Management has assigned a senior staff member as a lead contact for each faculty to attend to such concerns. 

Please see our updated FAQ for details. Continue to send any Employer requests to outreach@uwofa.ca. 

Take action now by signing the CUPE 2361 petition here and joining the picket line in support of our fellow workers. We are stronger together.

Updated September 3, 2024

Trades, Landscapers and Caretakers at Western who are members of CUPE local 2361 are in a strike position as of Friday August 30th at 12:01 AM.

We will continue to update the membership as the situation unfolds. Please refer to the FAQ which we are continually updating.

CUPE 2361 Strike FAQ

Author: David Heap

More than just the last long weekend of the summer, the first Monday of September marks the Labour Day holiday across North America. Since the late 1800s, unions in Canada have been rallying on this date to celebrate their collective achievements and show their unity in working class struggles. In some communities the day is marked by a parade with union banners and marching bands.  In London, the London and DIstrict Labour Council holds a picnic with live music, a free BBQ and informative tabling displays from area unions and allied organizations. 

For many years, members of the UWO Faculty Association have attended the LDLC picnic, as volunteers and simply to enjoy the gathering. 

A long-time UWOFA Member and Chief Negotiator for several rounds of collective bargaining, Jeff Tennant says that he attends Labour Day events to celebrate what the labour movement has built over the years and to connect with and build solidarity with other unions. He adds: “The OCUFA* Collective Bargaining Committee’s ‘Countdown to Strong’ model of campaign-based bargaining attaches a high priority to building strong relationships of solidarity with other local unions on and off campus.” UWOFA’s Secretary, librarian Kristin Hoffman, says “UWOFA Members attend the Labour Day picnic because of the connection it gives us to the broader London community, and for those of us who volunteer and help out at the food tent, it’s a very practical and tangible way to contribute to the community.”

Though neither of UWOFA’s bargaining units is currently negotiating a collective agreement, the ongoing work of forming and nurturing relationships with other unions and their supporters is part of what we do as a Union. Meeting a cross-section of working people’s organizations helps us understand that while our struggles are specific to our workplace, they are also connected to what other unions are addressing in their workplaces.

For those faculty, librarians and archivists who are around London on the last weekend before fall term begins, this is a great opportunity to connect with the broader labour movement in an informal setting. If you are interested in joining other UWOFA Members who will be volunteering at the Labour Day picnic, please let us know by filling out the Google Form here: https://forms.gle/M4wjTVSS8fPwSDSE9

*Ontario Confederation of Faculty Associations

UWOFA continues to support the Canadian Association of University Teachers in expressing concern about the forcible removal and heavy-handed arrests of peaceful pro-Palestinian student protesters across Canadian University campuses. Such actions, when there is no demonstrable threat to campus safety, conflict with the mission of post-secondary institutions – to foster dialogue, debate, and support academic freedom and free expression. Further, in response to recent and ongoing events on our campus and on campuses across Canada, UWOFA encourages ongoing dialogue and calls on the Western administration to reaffirm its commitment to transparency and adhere to the UNPRI Six Principles for Responsible Investment, to which it is a signatory.

Updated April 19, 2024

The Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) who are members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Local 610 (PSAC 610) are now on strike.

It is our responsibility to report to work, do our job, and maintain academic integrity in our courses. You are not required to do the work or normal duties of the striking Graduate Teaching Assistants. UWOFA will defend members subjected to discipline for exercising their collective agreement rights.

We will continue to update the membership as the situation unfolds. Please refer to the FAQ which we are continually updating.

Updated April 10, 2024

The Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) who are members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Local 610 (PSAC 610) will be in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on April 11, 2024.

We profoundly condemn the recent actions taken by Western University’s senior administration. The failure to address the legitimate concerns of GTAs in a meaningful manner and the resorting to tactics aimed at undermining their right to strike are not only disheartening but a direct attempt to erode the foundation of solidarity among academic workers at the institution. 

We support our Members in objecting to work assigned to GTAs in the event of a strike, emphasizing the importance of collective action and unity in upholding the rights of workers. In solidarity with our fellow academic workers, we offer our full support to PSAC 610 and encourage all members to join GTAs on the line for solidarity pickets. You can also support our GTAs by signing on to the support letter below or distributing the slide below in your OWL course announcements.

An FAQ is available to all members who have questions about the potential strike and how it will affect their work. We continue to monitor this situation and will update our members as new information becomes available.