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Toronto, Ont. – Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) staff, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), voted 87 per cent in favour of a strike, if a fair deal is not reached with their employer. 

Our members are united to win a fair contract that recognizes the value of their work and years of service,” said Jim Morrison, CUPE national representative for Local 1281. “We are hoping that management will come back to mediation with a more conciliatory attitude that will help achieve a fair settlement.”

Outstanding issues include management’s refusal to respect job descriptions, address salary inequities and improve retirement benefits. “Some of our members have supported the faculty for over two decades,” said Morrison.  “Yet management remains inflexible and refuses to recognize the value of this long-term service.”

The eight OCUFA staff members provide research, communications, advocacy, government relations and administrative services, supporting over 15,000 university professors and academic librarians in universities across Ontario, helping them improve their working conditions through collective bargaining. The workers’ last contract expired on December 31, 2006.  Mediation talks are scheduled for September 16. 

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For further information, please contact:

Jim Morrison, CUPE National Representative, 416-292-3999, ext. 289
James Chai, CUPE Communications, 416-292-3999, ext. 213