If UTFA were certified under the Labour Relations Act of Ontario, as are most other university faculty associations in Canada, this could not occur. The administration's attitude violates both the letter and spirit of the Memorandum of Agreement between UTFA and the Governing Council. At each meeting the Association's bargaining team has asked the administration for their positions on salary and benefits, and they have refused. We do not know what they are proposing for the current round. Bi-lateral negotiations will end in April, and mediation will begin on April 26th.
Mediation is a strictly confidential process.
You will only learn whether an agreement has been reached or not. If an agreement is not reached in mediation, Mr. George Adams will act as arbitrator, beginning June 28th. This is hardly a fair, honorable, and reasonable way for the administration to treat its faculty and librarians. The Association has been up-front about its proposals, and it is prepared to defend them. The administration will only open its kimono in the secrecy of the mediation process.