University of Windsor ratifies agreements with Unifor

Contracts with 2 other unions remain outstanding

The University of Windsor has ratified collective agreements with two of its unions.

On Sept. 17, the university's board of governors announced it had reached agreements with both Unifor Local 195 (which represents about 27 campus community police) and Unifor Local 2458 (which represents 361 clerical staff, operating engineers, refrigeration mechanics and mechanics).

As part of the three-year deals, university staff will get annual wage increases of 1.5 per cent, a one-year increase to the recall period for part-time staffers who are laid off, and better clarity surrounding medical leave provisions. The school also reiterated its commitment to ensure no employees would be laid off so their positions could be outsourced.

"I am delighted that we were able to do the negotiation needed to reach these agreements with our Unifor locals," said Alan Wildeman, president of the university. "The outcome is reflective of our desire to have all employees working with fair and reasonable collective agreements."

The University of Windsor is currently back at the bargaining table with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1001, which represents groundskeepers, custodial, housekeeping and food services staff. However, if an agreement is not reached by Sept. 23, employees will be in a legal position to walk off the job.

Currently, the 280 skilled trades and professional staff at the school, represented by CUPE Local 1393, have been on strike since Sept. 8.

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