LUFA members remain strong and unified on the picket lines.

After extensive discussions at the bargaining table, the Employer has provided LUFA with a package that it has characterized as a final “take it or leave it” offer. LUFA is presenting the package for members’ consideration only. LUFA is not recommending acceptance or rejection. LUFA will provide full information and context to support members in their decision-making. The membership will decide whether they want to accept the deal, and the path forward.

LUFA would only suspend picketing if it were bringing forward a deal that it was recommending to members. As LUFA is not bringing this proposal forward with an endorsement, it is important that picket lines remain strong given the possibility that the strike could continue. To ensure our members have a choice in what lies ahead, LUFA has been clear that picketing will continue.

LUFA can’t make any other comments until members are provided full information.

LUFA will be holding a membership meeting on Sunday, February 8 at 10:00 a.m.

LUFA has returned to the bargaining table with LU and Arbitrator Kaplan. We remain hopeful for a fast resolution with a deal that restores and reflects the sacrifices and needs of our membership. As soon as there is more to share, members will be updated. Thank you for your continuous solidarity and support.

Dear Members,

Today, the President of Laurentian University issued a message to the broader community characterizing the state of bargaining. LUFA does not agree with that characterization.

At the end of mediation, both parties agreed on how the outcome would be communicated publicly. LUFA has honoured that agreement. The University has not.

On the declaration of impasse

Both Chief Negotiators were called into a joint meeting by the mediator, Bill Kaplan. While each side had provided its approximate final positions in confidence to the mediator, he indicated that, based on the information available to him, the parties remained far apart. Having met with both bargaining teams, the mediator advised that he had concluded the parties were at impasse.

The mediator then sent an email to both parties so that each could communicate the outcome without suggesting that either side had “walked away” from the table. Both parties agreed to that approach.

Despite this, the President’s message implies that LUFA walked away. That is not accurate. The conclusion of mediation was a joint outcome based on the mediator’s assessment of the parties’ positions.

To be clear, the University has not invited LUFA back to the table, and LUFA has neverindicated a refusal to return. We remain ready to resume negotiations and look forward to a direct invitation from the employer rather than continued public mis-characterization of the process.

On salaries

LUFA’s mandate from members was clear: to work toward meaningful restoration of the significant losses experienced over the past five years as a result of both the CCAA cuts and sustained high inflation. While specific proposals remain confidential, the employer’s offer did not meet that mandate.

When the President says its “salary proposal exceeds what other faculty associations in the province have agreed to in 2025.” (i.e. sector norm increases) she is referring to the percentage increases being proposed, not to where LUFA members’ actual salaries would land within the sector. 

Put plainly, a higher percentage increase does not change the fact that, even after those increases are applied, LUFA members would remain in the bottom of the sector.

For sessional members, the claim that compensation would be above sector norms is completely false. The proposals were not above sector norms. Under the proposals presented, many sessional members would see no meaningful improvement, some would experience an effective reduction, and all would remain below sector standards.

On workload

Limited accepted proposals would have improved workload for a small number of full-time members. The vast majority of full-time faculty and all sessional members would see no improvement. 

On pensions

Our members have been clear for years that they want their retirement security removed from the employer’s control through a move to the University Pension Plan (UPP). 

This was raised during the CCAA process and again in 2023 as a central bargaining priority.

Members also provided a clear secondary mandate should external or regulatory barriers make UPP implementation impossible: restore the pre-CCAA pension benefits. Both of these were rejected. 

LUFA has repeatedly requested access to the underlying data and costing to support the employer’s pension positions. Those requests have not been met. As a result, LUFA has filed a complaint at the Ontario Labour Relations Board alleging a failure to bargain in good faith.

LUFA remains committed to bargaining in good faith and to securing an agreement that reflects the clear mandates given to us by our members. We will continue to communicate directly and as transparently as permitted as this process moves forward. 

LUFA is bargaining for better working conditions so students and faculty can thrive at LU. 

In solidarity,

LUFA Executive

• Strike Kick-off Rally