End of crisis in sight at Laval University. At the end of five weeks of strike, the 1300 teachers on strike approved by 92%, Wednesday afternoon, the last hypothesis of settlement of the conciliator. The return to class could take place as early as Friday if the management in turn ratifies the new collective agreement.
The bonzes of Laval University are to meet on Wednesday at the start of the evening. Even before the meeting was held, however, the institution announced the holding of a press briefing on Thursday morning, in the presence of the rector, Sophie d’Amours, and two vice-rectors, to “take stock of the decision of the union and university bodies regarding the settlement proposal tabled on Monday. »
The agreement approved by the union party provides for an average salary increase of almost 16% by 2026, the magnitude of which varies according to rank. The lion’s share would go to assistant professors (18.5%), with an 18.5% salary increase, followed by full professors (15.4%), associate professors (14.3%) and assistant professors ( 13.7%).
From the first day of 2027, a salary catch-up mechanism should also be set in motion so that the professors of the University achieve parity with their counterparts at the University of Montreal.
The new agreement also provides for the hiring of 80 new teachers by 2026, a number below union demands, which called for 20 more.
Union members also won their case regarding their academic freedom. Under the agreement, the university renounces to claim a “duty of loyalty” in the next agreement. A professor will also have the freedom to refuse to give a course if the mode of teaching chosen by the program committee, either in-class or virtual teaching, does not suit him.
If management in turn gives the green light to the agreement, the strike would end on Thursday. The return to class, however, would take place on Friday at the earliest, Monday at the latest.