1. Welcome New Members
2. New Members’ Luncheon
3. The Bargaining Unit
4. LUFA Bar-B-Q
5. Mentoring
6. Bargaining Preparation
7. NOSM Strike
8. Chairs’ Luncheon
9. Labour Relations Board Decision
10. Other Information

Welcome New Members: LUFA would like to welcome the following faculty who have joined the university since July 1.

New Members’ Luncheon: LUFA is holding a special luncheon for new faculty on Tuesday, September 7. Details have been sent to members involved.

The Bargaining Unit: In July 2010, there were 365 full-time members and 52 part-time members in the Bargaining Unit. (The numbers of part-timers will go up in this month.) LUFA also represents faculty in the three federated colleges.

LUFA Bar-B-Q: LUFA’s annual “Welcome Back” Bar-B-Q is scheduled for Friday September 17 in the Alumni Hall between 11:30 and 1:30 p.m. This is the only social event in which senior administrators are also invited to attend. Further details to follow.

Mentoring: As members go up for contract renewal, tenure or promotion, especially for the first time, they often seek advice on how to build their strongest case. Over the years, LUFA has recruited several senior and experienced faculty members to mentor those who would like such advice. If you are interested in this confidential service, please contact Ashley Thomson. (athomson@laurentian.ca or ext 3322) who can put you in touch with a willing mentor.

Bargaining Preparation: Chief Negotiator Jim Ketchen has met with the executive to discuss bargaining plans for the year. The first step is to create a team of those interested and the second to survey members about issues that concern them. More on this later.

NOSM Strike:The NOSM strike has been lingering on for about three weeks now. During the first week, LUFA donated $1,000 to the cause—and donated another $1,000 on August 27 see attached .pdf

Unfortunately, the NOSM strike is the first in the province in which administrators have been placed under pressure not to bend on the 0%-0% salary increase championed by the provincial government. By the same token, the strikers are represented by OPSEU, (The Ontario Public Service Employees Union), and are members of CAUT and neither organization agrees with the province’s position. Both sides in this local dispute are, in other words, caught up in a broader picture.

Chairs’ Luncheon: Chairs and Directors have an important role to play in administering the collective agreement. On Sept. 24 chairs and directors are invited to a luncheon. Details to follow.

Labour Relations Board Decision: In June, LUFA received word that its position on the union’s right to information has been upheld by the Ontario Labour Relations Board. The particular situation in question involved a decision of the harassment office involving a member. The university took the view that privacy concerns outweighed the union’s right to see the full decision and the documentation surrounding it. The effect of this was two-fold and serious: it meant that first and obviously, the Association was barred from information that would be vital in the defense of itself and its members but more threatening perhaps was that second, the administration's position that it could deal directly with members on such issues was a direct infringement upon the union's exclusive bargaining rights. The OLRB concluded that since a union has an obligation under law to fully represent all members to the best of its ability, it HAS the right to access such information. The complete decision (in English) has been placed on the lufappul.ca website.

Other Information: Recently separate emails have been sent out on the topics of the provincial bargaining freeze as well as LUFA’s ergonomic program. LUFA tried to keep members posted on these and other developments both via email and on its website (lufappul.ca )—but if there is other information you think all members should be have, please contact LUFA’s Communication Director, Ashley Thomson (athomson@laurentian.ca ) ext. 3322.