University of Windsor Unions Postpone Strike Ahead of President’s Arrival

Union leaders representing staff at the University of Windsor have reached an agreement to delay potential strike action. This decision comes as negotiations are set to resume with the university’s new president, J.J. McMurtry, after both unions’ agreements expired at 12:01 p.m. on September 1, 2023.

The unions involved include Unifor Local 444, which represents 26 members of the university’s Special Constable Service, responsible for on-campus security, and Unifor Local 2458, representing 16 staff members from the Energy Conservation Centre. Their roles are critical, with special constables handling a range of incidents from routine calls to serious emergencies.

On Friday, both unions held a press conference expressing concerns over the state of negotiations. However, by Sunday evening, Local 444 President James Stewart and Local 2458 Secretary-Treasurer Mike Kisch confirmed that plans for a work stoppage had been postponed.

“We got to a point where we recognized that we were still far apart,” Stewart stated. “The university is in a unique position. There’s a new president coming into place, and he’s starting Monday. We were hoping to have less of a gap between the two sides, especially with students arriving for their first week of school.”

McMurtry was appointed as president and vice-chancellor in June, succeeding Robert Gordon, who announced his retirement effective September 2024. Stewart emphasized the significance of the upcoming week, noting the influx of students and the potential impact on their safety and wellbeing.

“The first week is crucial when discussing student safety,” he added. “Many students are away from home for the first time, facing a range of mental health challenges. The university is bustling with activities, making this a very busy time.”

Kisch also commented on the decision to delay labor action, describing it as appropriate for his bargaining unit. “Tomorrow being Labor Day and the expiry of our collective agreements, we thought it made sense to postpone, especially with students moving in,” Kisch said. “We will meet with the new president next Friday afternoon, hoping he can persuade the board of governors to bridge the gap in our negotiations.”

Following their meeting with McMurtry, both unions will reassess their position and determine their next steps. “We’re at an impasse right now,” Kisch stated. “We’re hopeful that the new president can facilitate a more productive negotiation process.”

The unions are currently taking a cautious approach, aiming to establish a new deadline after their discussions with McMurtry. Stewart remarked, “He has agreed to meet with us to talk about the outstanding issues. After that, we’ll set a new deadline. The goal is to resolve this quickly, but we don’t want to rush into anything that jeopardizes students and the university in the short term.”

Stewart expressed optimism for the upcoming negotiations, acknowledging the university’s financial challenges, including a deficit. “We know the university has been struggling, yet they recently awarded a two percent raise to professors while looking to limit our gains. There are still takeaways on the table that we find unacceptable,” he said.

As the university community prepares for a new academic year, the outcome of these negotiations remains crucial for both staff and students alike.