In this issue...

OSSTF to hold province-wide one-day walkout

OCUFA workshop develops skills of faculty association staff

University Finance Workshop focuses on impact of performance-based funding

Trent University Faculty Association reaches settlement with university

New articles from Academic Matters

OSSTF to hold province-wide, one-day walkout

OSSTF, the union representing teachers and support staff at Ontario’s high schools, has announced a one-day strike/walk-out on Wednesday, December 4. OSSTF has spent much of the last year pushing back against the Ford government’s demands for increased class sizes and mandatory e-learning credits.

If you have some time, please join a local picket line and show solidarity with Ontario’s teachers and education workers. OSSTF members will be picketing in front of high schools and MPP offices in most districts. For more information about the picket line(s) in your area, please check the website for the OSSTF local in your district or contact them directly: https://www.osstf.on.ca/about-us/districts-and-bargaining-units.aspx

OCUFA workshop develops skills of faculty association staff

On Friday, November 22, faculty association staff from across Ontario came together for OCUFA's 2019 Faculty Association Staff Workshop for a day of learning, sharing, and skills-development.

The day was energized by robust discussion. Morning highlights included an opening plenary focused on the challenges facing faculty associations under the Ford government and a workshop on how staff can more effectively deal with difficult behaviours in the workplace.

The afternoon featured a skills-sharing roundtable where individual staff shared their own tips and tricks, a breakout session where staff could discuss shared interests in smaller groups, and a presentation on how staff can use digital tools to help their faculty association with member engagement.

University Finance Workshop focuses on impact of performance-based funding

On Friday, November 8, the annual OCUFA University Finance Workshop brought together faculty association members and staff from across Ontario who regularly review university financial statements. The day’s focus was on how the province’s new performance-funding framework could impact university finances.

The morning featured a briefing on the latest developments in provincial funding and a discussion of what it might mean for equity within the academy. This was followed by a review of sources and methods of financial analysis that can be used to assess potential impacts of performance-based funding on university finances.

After lunch and a robust discussion about the implications of performance-based funding, a presentation on strategic communications demonstrated how faculty associations can effectively communicate information about their university’s finances. Participants then divided into break-out groups to analyze real university data and develop strategic messaging that could be used to persuasively engage their members and the public.

Trent University Faculty Association reaches settlement with university

Trent faculty were able to successfully negotiate several changes to their pension plan, which will facilitate their work towards joining the jointly-sponsored University Pension Plan. The faculty association has also agreed to create a new joint-committee to explore potential improvements to the benefits package, and another benefits sub-committee to determine possible equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigenization improvements.

New articles from Academic Matters

There is more to Academic Matters than just the print issue. New articles are being added to the Academic Matters website every week. Here are some recent articles you might find interesting:

University strikes in the UK: Why they’re happening and what you need to know
By Heather Connolly, University of Leicester
“Eight days of strike action announced by academics will run November 25 until December 4. After that, industrial action will continue with academics working to contract – this means they will be unable to cover for absent colleagues or reschedule lectures lost to strike action ...”

Capitalist creep on campus: the largest, quietest privatization in UK history – it’s why we’re striking
By Martin Parker, University of Bristol
“For the next week and a half, many UK university lecturers will be on strike again, but who outside of academia really cares? After all, university academics have great jobs. Indeed, every June to September, I get asked whether I am now on holiday ...”

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