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In this issue...

OCUFA stands in support of legal challenge to Ford government’s attack on workers’ rights

OCUFA statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

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OCUFA stands in support of legal challenge to Ford government’s attack on workers’ rights

The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations stands in solidarity with our colleagues in the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association, and the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens as they launch a legal challenge of the Ford government’s new legislation capping public sector wage increases. The Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act fundamentally undermines the constitutionally protected right to free and fair collective bargaining, threatens pay equity and benefits for marginalized workers, and will erode labour relations in the public sector. 

University faculty and academic librarians firmly believe in the right to free and fair collective bargaining. It is through this process that equity is fostered, ensuring that good jobs and fair pay are provided to traditionally under-compensated groups, including women-identified, racialized, and contract faculty. Instead of attacking hard-working Ontarians, the government should be investing in the province’s public services and education system to ensure smaller class sizes for students where positive relationships can be fostered and learning can thrive. 

It is unfortunate that this court challenge is necessary, but the Ford government has consistently rejected opportunities to lead constructive conversations about the future of education in Ontario.  

As this legal challenge proceeds, OCUFA will continue to support our colleagues across the education and broader public sector to hold the Ford government to account, and defend the rights of all workers to fair pay, safe working conditions, and job security. OCUFA is also studying its legal options as they relate to the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act and will continue to work to protect our members’ collective bargaining rights. 

OCUFA statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

This year marks 30 years since the December 6, 1989 anti-feminist attack at Montreal’s École Polytechnique that resulted in the murder of 14 women.

The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations honours the memory of these women whose lives were taken because of their gender and we stand strong against any form of gender-based violence on our campuses and in our communities.

We also acknowledge that the violent events of December 6 are not only historical, but are of significant concern right now given that gender-based violence continues to be experienced by women and members of the trans and non-binary communities on a daily basis. This sexist and transphobic violence is compounded by colonialism, racism, poverty, ableism, and homophobia, resulting in those who experience multiple forms of oppression being disproportionately impacted.

In March, the Ontario government released the results of the 2018 Student Voices on Sexual Violence Survey. Over 63% of university students surveyed disclosed an experience of sexual harassment in the 2017-2018 academic year, and 75% reported that they have witnessed a form of sexual violence within the same period.

These results point to the substantial amount of work still needed to create campuses and communities free of gender-based sexual violence.

As a community of academics and educators we are committed to working towards an end to gender-based violence on our campuses and in our communities through education and prevention, while advocating for good public policy, resources, and support for survivours.

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