The agreement was ratified by 90% of UWOFA members in the vote from 22 to 23 November. Western`s Board of Governors has ratified a new four-year collective agreement with the University Faculty Association (UWOFA) – which represents approximately 1,564 faculty members, of whom 1,001 are full-time or part-time probation officers, 255 full-time and 308 part-time. „We are pleased to have ratified a new treaty with UWOFA and I welcome the commitment and collegiality shown by negotiators for both sides during the months-long negotiations and discussions,“ said Andrew Hrymak, Provost and Vice-President (Academic). „This agreement recognizes the critical role our western faculty played in student research, leadership and learning, while reflecting the current academic environment in Ontario. We look forward to building on this renewed commitment to excellence. The King`s University College Faculty Association (KUCFA) represents and protects the interests of all full-time academics at King`s University College. KUCFA is a certified union responsible for negotiating collective agreements with the university administration. Under the new agreement, UWOFA members will receive 1.5% in the first three years of the agreement and 1.75% in the remaining year. UWOFA`s last contract expired on June 30, 2018. Probation officers, librarians and archivists may, upon request, receive a one-year extension of their probation period. Members must submit a written renewal request to their dean or chief librarian by December 31, 2020, which is approved.
UWOFA negotiated this agreement with the employer in the spring to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The Board of Directors also confirmed the university`s new four-year contract with the Professional and Managerial Association (PMA). The provisional agreement was approved on 14 November by the accession of the LDC. LDC represents approximately 1,200 full-time employees working in management and career roles on campus. The four-year contract expired on October 31. UWOFA negotiates collective agreements, advises members on employment issues, deals with labour disputes and complaints, and promotes the professional interests of faculty members, university librarians and archivists.