SEE IMPORTANT NOTICES
Conciliator George Joyce has asked both parties to return to the negotiating table on Saturday,
November 4th at 2 p.m.
IS BEING LEGISLATED BACK TO WORK LIKELY?
The Honourable Lloyd Matthews, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister Finance, on The
Morning Show, CBC Radio (between 7:00 - 7:30 a.m today.).
When asked, the Minister stated that the Provincial Government will not intervene in the current
negotiations between MUN and MUNFA or in the current strike action – that this was a matter
between the two parties, and not the Government.
Advice to Sessionals Not in MUNFA
We have been receiving much support from sessionals, both those in the bargaining unit and those
who, unfortunately, are not.
On Monday, when classes are expected to resume, THOSE SESSIONALS WHO ARE NOT IN
MUNFA are advised that, if they do not teach their classes, they will be in violation of their
contracts, and subject to penalties. We can not protect those sessionals who are not in our
bargaining unit. They must, however regretfully, go to work, and to get there, they will have to
cross our line. To MUNFA picketers, please understand that non-bargaining unit sessionals have
no choice in the matter.
There are sessionals who are in MUNFA. They are on legal strike.
RETURN TO TABLE: TALKS TO RESUME ON SATURDAY
MUNFA AND MUN return to the table on Saturday at 2:00 PM. Bargaining will resume. Until a
collective agreement is concluded, we are still on strike.
If no agreement is reached, picketing will resume on Monday.
SWEET MUSIC FROM GRENFELL COLLEGE
The rally that was held at Grenfell to mark the end of the first week of the
strike was a great success. The sweet music referred to was provided at the
rally by several faculty members, some with doctorates and some without,
some long-term employees and some just here on a short contract. Their
musical offerings enlivened a cold and dreary day.
Over seventy people attended and that number included most of the faculty
members on strike. They were joined by representatives of the Grenfell CUPE
workers. Troy Giles of CUPE addressed the gathering and offered the support
of the CUPE staff at the college. The staff at the college have been very
supportive. They have brought food and coffee to the lines, but more
importantly they have all either parked off campus or slowed down and
greeted us before going on to the campus. Many of the staff, unionized and
non-unionized, have spent time on the line, in often-inclement weather, as a
show of solidarity.
Several representatives of the City of Corner Brook CUPE members were also
there to offer their support. They came through a long and bitter strike
this year, and their spokesman addressed the need for public sector unions
to support each other in the struggle to achieve fair wages and decent
working conditions. That they came to offer their support at a rally held
late on Friday and in cold temperatures and rain was deeply appreciated.
Jade Mahoney, President of the Grenfell Council of the Students' Union, also
spoke and pledged the support of GCSU. The GCSU have come out publicly in
support of MUNFA, and I noted in my remarks that it takes courage to take a
side, as it is far easier to sit on the fence. We recognize that this was a
carefully considered decision made only after meetings with both sides at
Grenfell on Wednesday. The GCSU recognize the issues of fairness and equity
involved in this strike, and support MUNFA in its efforts to get a better
settlement for all its members and the "sessional" employees.
Partners and friends, some with their children, also showed up to show their
support for the striking workers. Obviously, the fears and doubts involved
in any strike are not restricted to just to the striking workers, but are
also felt by their families. I hope that these stresses will be short-lived
and that the gains achieved will make them worthwhile.
I also acknowledge the efforts of the academic administrators at the college
to maintain the goodwill that we will need once the strike is over and we
get back to regular activities. They have shown that good working
relationships are important enough at Grenfell that both sides have managed
to avoid any of the destructive rhetoric that can be so apparent during
strikes.
Finally, I should note that, to my knowledge, not one member of the
bargaining unit at Grenfell has crossed the picket lines. Those few at
Grenfell who are opposed in principle to the strike have chosen to respect
the picket lines. We respect their position. We share with them the hope
that the strike is over soon and we can get back to the job of teaching our
students.
