6 A.M.
As we prepare for a strike deadline at 7:45AM, the following is what appears to have happened at the table.
At 10:00 PM yesterday MUNFA tabled another proposal, which attempted to address administration concerns while preserving crucial elements of MUNFA's position. In essence, MUNFA negotiators want some benefits for everyone in terms of salary, pension reform, severance.
At 2:00 AM this morning the administration replied, making very small changes in their position. In response to MUNFA's attempt to create a more reasonable distinction between the steps available for Ph.D.'s and non Ph.D.'s, the administration offered a one time only professional development allowance of $750 to non-Ph.D.'s. They remained resistant to making this part of base salary. MUNFA indicated that these minor gestures did not adequately address MUNFA's basic concerns.
From 2:00 AM this morning until now, MUNFA negotiators have been waiting for the administration to make a more complete response, one which addresses MUNFA's concerns.
By our presence here, we are sending our support to MUNFA's negotiators. It should be possible for the administration, using the techniques of "creativity and flexibility" advocated by the President of the University, to find some way in the time remaining to deal more positively with our legitimate demands for salary fairness, for pension reform, and for all other outstanding issues.
9 A.M.
As of 7:45, Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association has been on legal strike. This action has been taken to support the legitimate demands of faculty and librarians for salary fairness, pension reform, and reasonable working conditions.
In response to our strike, the University administration has cancelled classes and has declared the rest of the week to be a "study break". It is our hope that, in taking this action,the administration is prepared to bargain with the "creativity and flexibility" promised by the President of the University. However, it may be that in taking this action, the adminsitration is hoping to undermine our strike. If this is indeed their thought, then we must disabuse them of it.
Tonight at our Annual General Meeting, there may be efforts made by some to force a settlement based on what the administration has put on the table. Since what is on the table does not deal adequately with our outstanding concerns regarding money, working conditions and other related matters, it is certainly not in our interests to do so. Rather, we should support the efforts of our negotiating team to continue to bargain, so that, at the end of the day, we have a Collective Agreement that serves the interests of all our members.
The Annual General Meeting is at Holy Heart of Mary at 8:00 p.m. tonight Oct. 31,2000.
11a.m.
Striking MUNFA members will be heartened by the show of support from students who are demonstrating to show support for our demands. Some fifty student picketers have been moving from picket line to picket line with chants and slogans that indicate that they understand the issues that we are fighting for, they understand that we are fighting for the kind of humane University that they want, and they understand too that we are walking these picket lines because we have been forced to do so by an intransigent administration.
Striking MUNFA members are also pleased by the show of support by the public. Many cars, nearly all buses and an assortment of other vehicles have been honking their support.
REMINDER: There will be an Annual General Meeting and Holy Heart of Mary at 8:00 PM. Everyone is urged to attend.
