Classes suspended at Nipissing University due to faculty strike

A strike is underway at Nipissing University.

Following an intensive weekend of negotiations, full-time Faculty have withdraw their services and started a strike.

The University says all classes on Nipissing’s campus, including those taught by part-time faculty, will be suspended. The Brantford and Muskoka campuses will be closed.

The Nipissing University Faculty Association says the two sides are still far apart on key issues.

Those include maintaining faculty complement, fair financial compensation and meaningful participation in governance.

The union says the proper place for faculty is at the University, teaching students and conducting research, but not at any cost.

NUFA President Susan Srigley says, “Our members gave us an overwhelmingly clear mandate that they wanted an agreement that gives our Members a fair say and fair pay. The Employer refuses to hear that message.”

University president and vice-chancellor Dr. Mike DeGagné says, “We feel that our offer is fair, and we are disappointed that the faculty has chosen to reject it. As a public sector employer, dependent on government grants and tuition for revenue, the university must demonstrate fiscal responsibility,”
He goes on to say, “The university remains committed to reaching an agreement with our faculty that is fair and reasonable. We hope that our students will be back in class very soon.”

The University has set up a website, featuring a series of Frequently Asked Questions and will be updating the site as new information is available.

The Nipissing University Faculty Association (NUFA) also have a website set up involving the labour situation.