uOttawa part-time professors on strike, classes cancelled

OTTAWA – About 2,500 part-time teaching professors at the University of Ottawa have been on strike since Nov. 7, suspending classes, grading and practicum supervision after contract talks reached an impasse.

The Association of Teaching Professors of the University of Ottawa (ATPUO) began strike action at midnight, according to the Ottawa Citizen. Picketing started at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, and CTV News Ottawa reported that some classes have been suspended.

The union says its members teach more than half of all courses at the university. CBC reported that its members teach more than 60 per cent of undergraduate courses, which are now cancelled. The university did not answer CBC’s question about how many courses are affected.

“The strike means the suspension of classes, grading, academic support, and practicum supervision provided by ATPUO members,” the union said in a news release on Nov. 8.

The union says the dispute centres on class sizes, job security, fair compensation and improved working conditions. Spokesperson Emilie Bernier told CBC the union is also concerned about a university proposal to exclude teaching professors from the board of governors and about a lack of parity in extended health benefits. No wage figures have been made public.

Union president and chief negotiator Nelson Arturo Ovalle Diaz said the university “must return to the bargaining table with serious proposals that recognize the value of teaching professors’ work.” The union said members lost access to university systems at midnight and questioned the speed with which that was done.

The university said it is disappointed. Jesse Robichaud, the university’s director of public affairs, said in an email that it has worked for five months toward a negotiated agreement and remains committed to bargaining in good faith to end the disruption as quickly as possible.

The university said contingency plans are in effect and campuses remain open. Courses not taught by striking professors continue, and most co-op placements, internships and practicums are to go on. An online list of affected courses is to be updated daily, and the academic calendar is unchanged. Students may attend an alternate course section not on their official schedule, Robichaud said.

Student Scarlett Trusevych told CBC all five of her classes were cancelled.

The union cited reconciliation meetings on Oct. 13 and Oct. 15 that produced no deal. No new bargaining dates have been reported. Bernier said the union believes solidarity on the picket line will bring the administration back to the table as early as next week.

If you find reporting like this useful, consider supporting Canada News Media, an independent Canadian newsroom with no corporate parent.