University of Montreal set to lock out veterinary teachers

The University of Montreal said clinician teachers at its faculty of veterinary medicine will be locked out indefinitely as of noon on Thursday.

The decision comes as the teachers based in Saint-Hyacinthe,Que., negotiate for a first collective agreement.

The university said in a news release that it is taking this action due to escalating pressure tactics, the unpredictability of union actions and the rejection of a final contract offer.

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That offer was presented filed last Friday, but the union says it was rejected on Tuesday by a vote of 97 per cent.

University management says the teachers have held nine strike days during the dispute and have voted to stage another 18 walkouts – a tactic it calls disruptive.

The union representing the teachers (SGPUM) said in a news release that it strongly denounces what it calls an “odious and disproportionate” decision to lock out the teachers.