WINNIPEG – University of Manitoba president David Barnard fired back Thursday in a war of words with the professors’ union over contract negotiations and a possible strike next week.
“I am disappointed that the University of Manitoba Faculty Association leadership appears set on taking strike action next week,” says a message from Barnard posted on the university website.
“A strike will be harmful to our students and, indeed, the entire community. Let me assure you that we are doing everything we can to avoid a disruptive and unnecessary strike.”
Professors will be in a walkout position on Tuesday after a vote earlier this month gave the faculty association a strike mandate.
Conciliation talks between the faculty association and the university are scheduled to continue through the weekend, but the two sides have been engaged in a blame game ahead of the strike deadline.
The message from Barnard came after the faculty association issued an open letter to students that stated professors were seeking guarantees of academic freedom, not money.
Professors have been offered a four-year agreement with an 8.9 per cent salary increase. The faculty association wants a two-year deal and changes to contract language that it says would better guarantee academic freedom.
Professors voted 68 per cent in favour of a strike. There are nearly 30,000 students enrolled at the university.
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