After a ten-day strike, during which negotiations with their employer failed to reach an agreement, the members of the Union of Professors of Laval University (SPUL) declared themselves in favor of an indefinite general strike. , THURSDAY.
Gathered in a general assembly, the teachers adopted by 94.5% a strike mandate which will begin on March 13, the union confirmed on its Facebook page.
The 1,280 unionized professors at Université Laval voted 96% in favor of a strike during their meeting on January 20.
The most recent collective agreement for SPUL members expired on 1er last December. Negotiations to renew the work agreement began on 1er september.
Raising the employment floor, equitable distribution of positions, increased administrative support, better work-life balance and workload management are part of the SPUL’s demands.
Laval University “disappointed”
In a press briefing held early Thursday afternoon, Rector Sophie D’Amours said she received the union’s decision “with disappointment”.
“However, we will take the opportunity to give the negotiation a chance and keep moving forward,” she said, referring to the break in pressure tactics during the break week, which will take place from next Monday to Friday.
Mme D’Amours reiterated that several solutions to issues raised by the professors had been put on the table and that these are “deemed acceptable” by both parties.
The Rector also invited union members to leave the past in the past and not to demand working conditions on behalf of all their colleagues in the country.
“Here, we don’t negotiate the working conditions of all the universities; we don’t have the revenues of other Canadian universities, she said. We negotiate working conditions in our own context, in Quebec, based on our ability to pay. »
The vice-rector for studies and student affairs, Cathia Bergeron, for her part reiterated her commitment to the student clientele to support them until the end of the session and to do everything possible to minimize the impact of the conflict. work on their academic career.
On Wednesday, Laval University had published a press release in which it indicated “continue to move forward in good faith”.
“Around 85% of the normative aspects have been negotiated so far. Several important elements have been settled. The negotiation process is actively continuing and Université Laval hopes for a settlement as soon as possible.
This dispatch was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta Exchange and The Canadian Press for the news.