(Sudbury – 7 September 2017)

Dear Colleagues:

As a follow-up to our recent emails and bulletins, I am writing to inform you that there will be a special general membership meeting on Friday, September 15, 2017 in Room  W-132, West Residence. The meeting will begin at 1:00 pm. We will provide a full update on negotiations and ask you to vote on the following motion:

“THAT the LUFA Executive Committee be authorized to call a strike in the event that the Executive Committee concludes that the negotiations with the Board of Governors of Laurentian University have reached an impasse.”

The gap between the two parties remains very wide and we are not optimistic that it can be bridged without applying pressure through a strong strike mandate. Consequently, I urge you to attend the meeting next week and show your support for our Negotiating Team by voting in favour of a strike mandate.

The best way to bring the employer to the table for meaningful and productive talks, in the hope that a strike can be avoided, is to indicate to the employer that you are willing to go on strike to protect and enhance your collective agreement rights. This intention is signaled by returning a strong vote in favour of a strike mandate.

The in-person vote will begin on the day of the meeting at the LUFA office from 10 am- 1 pm, or at the meeting from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm. The vote will open again on Monday from 9 am to 3 pm at the LUFA office.

CCE members, members in Barrie, and members on sabbatical are eligible to vote online. You must email Niki at [email protected] by Thursday, Sept. 14, at 3:30 pm to indicate your wish to vote. Your ballot will then be sent by email. The voting period will also be from Friday to Monday at 3 pm.

CCE members, members in Barrie, and members on sabbatical are eligible to call the meeting by teleconference. You will need a personal PIN number to access the teleconference. Email Niki at [email protected] or call the LUFA office (1-705-675-1151 ext. 4290) to obtain your 4-digit PIN number.

The Mercuri teleconference procedure for calling-in is as follows:
Telephone number: 1-800-669-6180 [Mercuri teleconference number of the meeting]
Enter the Participant code: 150460
Enter your PIN number: XXXX (4 digits)

You will then join the teleconference.

The LUFA Board, the Executive and I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

In solidarity,

James Ketchen
President