Compensation from the U. of Manitoba teachers ’union: the province is attractive

In February, Court of Queen’s Bench Judge Joan McKelvey ruled that the Manitoba government had interfered in negotiations between the University of Manitoba and theUMFAUniversity of Manitoba Faculty Associationthus violating the charter rights of the union.

The government’s attitude led to a 21-day teachers ’strike.

In February, the union explained that this compensation would amount to 16 million to staff to make up for lost wages. The remainder, nearly $ 3 million, is intended to cover costs associated with the 2016 strike.

In a press release, theUMFAUniversity of Manitoba Faculty Association confirming that the appeal was filed on Wednesday. Union President Orvie Dingwall does not understand this decision.

” We are disappointed that the government has chosen to appeal this decision and extend the period of interference in collective bargaining and the University of Manitoba. “

Secret conversations about wage freezing

Orvie Dingwall said the government’s appeal came two days after a legislature committee began hearings on the repeal of the wage freeze law.

According to a provincial spokesman, the unprecedented constitutional issues and the remedy deserve further consideration. He declined to comment further.

The government now has 45 days to file all its arguments and evidence, after which the UMFA, which represents 1,265 full-time professors, instructors and librarians, will file its response.

Prior to the strike, it seemed a long negotiation process had taken place. After nine months of negotiations, the University proposed theUMFAUniversity of Manitoba Faculty Association a four -year contract that would result in a salary increase of 17.5% during this period.

The University administration was forced to remove this measure after the government communicated through secret communications.

According to court documents, the province, under then -premier Brian Pallister, has formed a public sector compensation committee, made up of ministers and others. The committee developed a zero percent salary freeze policy for a year and advised the University of Manitoba chief negotiator not to discuss it.

The committee then instructed the University not to disclose the provincial directive during union discussions and advised that non -compliance would result in financial impact.

So the university returned to the teachers ’association with a revised proposal that included a one-year salary freeze. This led to a strike, which only ended when the union reluctantly agreed to it three weeks later.

The University administration apologized in May 2018 and agreed to pay each member ofUMFAUniversity of Manitoba Faculty Association and to the union in the amount of $ 2,000 in compensation.